Water combustion technology- methods, processes, systems and apparatus for the combustion of hydrogen and oxygen

ABSTRACT

This invention presents improved combustion methods, systems, engines and apparatus utilizing H 2 , O 2  and H 2 O as fuel, thereby providing environmentally friendly combustion products, as well as improved fuel and energy management methods, systems, engines and apparatus. The Water Combustion Technology; WCT, is based upon water (H 2 O) chemistry, more specifically H 2 O combustion chemistry and thermodynamics. WCT does not use any hydrocarbon fuel source, rather the WCT uses H 2  preferably with O 2  and secondarily with air. The WCT significantly improves the thermodynamics of combustion, thereby significantly improving the efficacy of combustion, utilizing the first and second laws of thermodynamics. The WCT preferably controls combustion temperature with H 2 O and secondarily with air in the combustion chamber. The WCT preferably recycles exhaust gases as fuel converted from water. The WCT minimizes external cooling loops and minimizes exhaust and/or exhaust energy, thereby maximizing available work and internal energy while minimizing enthalpy and entropy losses.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application is a divisional application of Ser. No. 10/790,316filed Mar. 1, 2004, which is a continuation of PCT/US03/11250 filed Apr.10, 2003. This application claims priority of Ser. No. 10/790,316 filedMar. 1, 2004; PCT/US03/11250 filed Apr. 10, 2003; PCT/US03/41719 fieldDec. 11, 2003; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/371,768filed Apr. 11, 2002; U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/379,587filed May 10, 2002; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.60/404,644 filed Aug. 19, 2002 and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.60/447,880 filed Feb. 14, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

This invention relates to improved combustion methods, processes,systems and apparatus, which provide environmentally friendly combustionproducts, as well as to fuel and energy management methods, processes,systems and apparatus for said improved combustion methods, processes,systems and apparatus. The combustion and/or fuel and/or energymanagement methods, processes, systems or apparatus (Water CombustionTechnology, WCT) is based upon the chemistry of Water (H₂O),incorporating Hydrogen (H₂) and Oxygen (O₂) as fuel, as well as H₂Oand/or air as at least one of a heat sink and/or a fuel source. The WCTdoes not use a hydrocarbon as a fuel source, rather the WCT uses H₂ incombination preferably with O₂ a secondarily with air. The primaryproduct of the combustion of H₂ and O₂ is H₂O. Further, in manyembodiments the WCT separates H₂O into H₂ and O₂, thereby making H₂O anefficient method of storing fuel.

As used herein, the term combustion can incorporate any combustionmethod, system, process or apparatus, such a furnace, a combustionengine, an internal combustion engine, a turbine or any combustionsystem wherein mechanical, electrical or heat energy (heat energy caninclude thrust energy) is created. The discovered WCT containembodiments wherein nitrogen (N₂) or N₂ and Argon (Ar) is partially ortotally removed from the fuel mixture to improve the energy output ofcombustion and/or reduce the pollution output of combustion.

The discovered WCT relate to improved methods, processes, systems andapparatus for combustion that significantly improve the thermodynamicsof combustion, thereby significantly improving the efficiency ofcombustion. Further, the discovered WCT relate to improved methods,processes, systems and apparatus for combustion wherein H₂O is added tothe fuel mixture to control the combustion temperature, therebyutilizing H₂O during combustion as a heat sink. The WCT incorporateembodiments wherein steam produced by combustion and/or the cooling ofcombustion: 1) maintains the power output of combustion, 2) providesmethod(s) of energy transfer and 3) provides an efficient method ofenergy recycle. Steam presents a reusable energy source in the exhaust,both from the available kinetic and the available heat energy, as wellas the conversion of said steam into H₂ and/or O₂.

Incorporating H₂O into the fuel mixture with the intent of minimizing orexcluding N₂, or N₂ and Ar from the fuel mixture culminates in a fuelmixture that is/are at least one of: O₂, H₂ and H₂O; O₂, H₂, H₂O and N₂;O₂, H₂, H₂O, N₂ and Ar; O₂, H₂, H₂O and air; H₂, H₂O and air; and H₂with excess air wherein said excess air is used to control combustiontemperature. As used herein, the fuel mixture in the WCT is defined toincorporate either: O₂ and H₂; O₂, H₂ and N₂; O₂, H₂ and Ar; O₂, H₂ andair; O₂, H₂ and H₂O; O₂, H₂, H₂O and N₂; H₂, H₂O, N₂ and Ar; O₂, H₂, H₂Oand air; H₂, H₂O and air; or H₂ and excess air.

The discovered WCT relate to methods, processes, systems and apparatusof generating electricity. Four methods, processes, systems andapparatus of generating electricity are discovered. The first places asteam turbine in the exhaust of the combustion engine, wherein saidsteam turbine is driven by said steam produced in combustion; said steamturbine turning a generator (the term generator is used herein to defineeither an alternator or a dynamo), wherein at least a portion of saidsteam energy is converted into said electrical energy. The second placesa generator on the mechanical energy output of a combustion engine,wherein at least a portion of said mechanical energy is converted bysaid generator into electrical energy. The third incorporates a physicalsystem of focusing air and/or water currents onto a generator or dynamo,wherein said generator or dynamo is driven by said moving air or waterto generate electrical energy. The fourth uses a photovoltaic cell togenerate electrical energy.

It is discovered to use at least a portion of said electrical energy forthe electrolytic generation of H₂O into O₂ and H₂. If a dynamo is used,at least a portion of the dynamo D/C current is used for electrolysis;if an alternator is used an A/C to D/C converter preferably converts atleast a portion of the alternating current into direct current forelectrolysis. It is further discovered and preferred to utilize at leastone of said electrolysis generated O₂ and/or H₂ as fuel in the WCT.

The discovered WCT further relate to methods, processes, systems andapparatus for separating O₂ from air. Three are discovered. By thefirst, O₂ is separated utilizing energy available from said WCT to powera cryogenic distillation system, wherein air is chilled and distilledinto O₂ and N₂. By the second, air is separated producing O₂ utilizingmembranes; said membranes can be of either organic (polymer)construction or of inorganic (ceramic) construction. By the third, airis separated producing O₂ utilizing Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA).While the separation of air into O₂ and N₂ can have many degrees ofseparation efficiency, it is to be understood that the term O₂ as usedherein is to mean at least enriched O₂ , wherein the O₂ concentration isat least 40 percent; preferably pure O₂ , wherein the O₂ concentrationis at least 80 percent; and most preferably very pure O₂, wherein the O₂concentration is at least 90 percent.

The discovered WCT further relate to methods, processes, systems andapparatus of metal catalysis, wherein said steam produced in the WCT isconverted into H₂ and metal oxides, as part of a catalyst system. It isfurther discovered and preferred that at least a portion of said H₂ beused as a fuel in the WCT. As used herein, the term metal catalysis isto mean any metal or combination of metals in the periodic table,wherein the metal or combination of metals will convert the H₂O withinsteam or water vapor into the corresponding metal oxide(s) and H₂.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mankind, has over the centuries, provided many forms of energy and manyforms of transportation. In the modern capitalistic economy, theavailability of energy is important to literally “fuel” the economicengine, which heats homes, provides electricity, powers lights, powerstransportation and powers manufacturing facilities, etc. Theavailability of energy is especially important in the transportation ofgoods and people. During the 19'th and 20'th centuries mankind developedfossil fuels into reliable and inexpensive fuels for many uses includingtransportation, powering factories, generating electricity andgenerating heat. During the 20'th century, the use of fossil fuelsincreased to such an extent as to cause the combustion products offossil fuels to be a major source of air and water pollution.

It must be understood and appreciated that most fossil fuel combustionsystems have an efficiency that is less than 40 percent and that theinternal combustion engine has an efficiency of less than 20 percent.These very poor results are a direct consequence of the thermodynamicsof combustion. Current combustion systems significantly increaseentropy, releasing entropy as well as enthalpy, to their surroundings.This is because it is very difficult for fossil fuel combustion systemsto manage temperature without significant entropy and enthalpy losses totheir environment; these losses are exhibited as exhaust gases and heatlosses to the environment. In summary, the first and second laws ofthermodynamics are a liability to fossil fuel combustion systems.

Hydrocarbon(s) have been used in combination with air as fuel forcombustion. The hydrocarbons utilized have been petroleum distillatessuch as gasoline, diesel, fuel oil, jet fuel and kerosene, orfermentation distillates such as methanol and ethanol, or naturallyoccurring substances such as methane, ethane, propane, butane, coal andwood. The combustion of fossil fuel(s) does not work in concert withnature. The products of fossil fuels were thought to work in concertwith nature's oxygen-carbon cycle.

C_(n)H_(2n+2)+(1.5n+1/2)O₂ →nCO₂+(n+1)H₂O+Energy

More specifically:

gasoline (n-Octane) C₈H₁₈+12-1/2O₂→8CO₂+9H₂O+1,300 kcal

natural gas (methane) CH₄+2O₂→CO₂+2H₂O+213 kcal

Oxides of carbon (CO_(X), CO and/or CO₂) are produced by the combustionof fossil fuels.

This production in combination with significant deforestation has leftplant life incapable of converting enough of the manmade CO₂ back intoO₂. CO, an incomplete combustion by-product, is toxic to all human,animal and plant life. Global warming is a result of a buildup of CO_(X)in the Earth's atmosphere. The combustion of air also creates oxides ofNitrogen (N), converting a portion of the N₂ to NO_(X) (NO, NO₂ and/orNO₃). NO_(X) is toxic to all human, animal and plant life. NO_(X) isknown to inhibit photosynthesis, which is nature's biochemical pathwayof converting CO₂ back into O₂. The formation of NO_(X) is endothermic,thereby lessening combustion efficiency. Further, NO_(X) reacts with O₂in the atmosphere to produce ozone (O₃). O₃is toxic to all human, animaland plant life. O₃ should only exist in higher levels of the atmosphere,wherein O₃ is naturally created from O₂. In the higher levels of theatmosphere O₃protects all human, animal and plant life from the harmfulrays of the sun. Lastly, liquid and solid fossil fuels naturally containsulfur (S) as a contaminant. In combustion, S is oxidized to SO_(X)(SO₂, SO₃ and/or SO₄). SO_(X) are toxic to all human, animal and plantlife. CO_(X), NO_(X) and SO_(X) react with water in the air to formacids of CO_(X), NO_(X) and/or SO_(X), which literally rain acids uponthe earth. In summary, CO_(X), NO_(X), SO_(X) and O₃ in the airadversely affect the health of all human, animal and plant life. Anenvironmentally acceptable alternative to fossil fuels would be a fuelsystem that does work in concert with nature. Such a system would notproduce CO_(X), NO_(X) or SO_(X), and thereby not generate O₃.

There has been much done mechanically and chemically to combat theenvironmental issues associated with hydrocarbon combustion. As anexample, industrial facilities are outfitted with expensive scrubbersystems whenever the politics demand the installation and/or thebusiness supports the installation. As another example, the internalcombustion engine has been enhanced significantly to make the enginemore fuel efficient and environmentally friendly. Even with enhancement,the internal combustion engine is only approximately 20 percentefficient and the gas turbine/steam turbine system is only approximately30 to 40 percent efficient. As depicted in FIG. 2, the internalcombustion engine looses as a percentage of available energy fuelvalue: 1) approximately 35 percent in the exhaust, 2) approximately 35percent in cooling, 3) approximately 9 percent in friction, and 4) only1 percent due to poor combustion performance, leaving the engineapproximately 20 percent efficient.

Hydrocarbon fuels have been modified with additives to minimize theformation of either CO_(X) or NO_(X). However, with all of the scrubbermodifications, engine modifications and fuel modifications, the Earth isstruggling to deal with manmade pollutants that originate fromhydrocarbon combustion systems. In addition to the environmental issues,availability and dependability of large quantities of petroleumhydrocarbons has become a geopolitical issue.

There have been many previous attempts to produce a combustion enginethat would operate on air and H₂. Those attempts had as difficulties:the high temperature of combustion, increased NO_(X) formation at highercombustion temperatures, storage capacity for large enough quantities ofH₂ and cost of operation. Jet propulsion applications had asdifficulties: high combustion temperatures, lack of available thrust anda lower altitude propulsion limit than kerosene. As compared tohydrocarbons, the combustion of H₂ occurs with H₂ having three times theavailable combustion energy per pound; in addition H₂ is much less densethan hydrocarbons, this density difference is significant in both in theavailable gas and in the cryogenically stored liquid form. H₂ is a gasat atmospheric pressure. H₂ is not a liquid until the temperature islowered to near −430° F.; therefore, storage equipment for H₂ need toeither be able to withstand high pressure, cryogenic temperatures orboth. Such storage equipment for large volumes of H₂ becomeseconomically impractical.

Historically and currently it has been believed that the electric motoris the solution to finding an environmentally friendly energy source.However, this concept has deficiencies in that the electrical energyrequired to power an electric motor must be created and stored.Electrical energy is created with either: 1) hydrocarboncombustion/steam generation processes, 2) photovoltaic generationprocesses, 3) water driven generation processes, 4) windmill drivengeneration processes or 5) nuclear generation/steam driven generationprocesses. While the photovoltaic process is environmentally friendly,the photovoltaic process is not reliable or effective enough in manyapplications to replace the combustion engine. While the water driven(water wheel) generation process is environmentally friendly, the waterdriven generation process is a geographically limited energy source.While the windmill driven generation process is environmentallyfriendly, wind is a limited non-reliable resource. While the nucleargeneration/steam driven generation process is environmentally friendly,concerns over the safety of such installations have limitedapplications.

Commercialization of the electric car has been limited due to electricalenergy cost and the electrical energy mass storage requirement being somassive that under the best of circumstances the electric car must belimited to short distances or supplemented with an internal combustionengine.

Previous and current attempts to produce a fuel cell that would operateon H₂ and air, as well as hydrocarbons and air are showing promisingresults. However, the capital investment to power output ratio for fuelcells is 400 to 500 percent of that same investment for traditionalcombustion systems. Also, the required maintenance of fuel cellsincreases the cost of operation. In addition, fuel cells requirePlatinum; there is not enough Platinum in the Earth's crust for oneyear's automotive production, much less enough for the energy needs ofthe world. Lastly, in transportation the fuel cell does not have thesame “feel” as the internal combustion engine, which may lead toacceptance challenges. Previous attempts to replace or reduce the powerof the internal combustion engine have failed due to market acceptance.Auto enthusiasts have come to enjoy and expect the “feel” and power ofthe internal combustion engine.

Previous work to develop a combustion engine that would operate onfuel(s) other than hydrocarbon(s) can be referenced in U.S. Pat. No.3,884,262, U.S. Pat. No. 3,982,878, U.S. Pat. No. 4,167,919, U.S. Pat.No. 4,308,844, U.S. Pat. No. 4,599,865 U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,091, U.S.Pat. No. 5,293,857, U.S. Pat. No. 5,782,081, U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,091 andU.S. Pat. No. 6,290,184. The closest work is U.S. Pat. No. 6,289,666 B1.While each of these patents present improvements in combustiontechnology, each leaves issues that have left the commercialization ofsuch a combustion engine impractical.

While there are many methods to prepare O₂, the separation of air intoits component gases is industrially performed by three methods:cryogenic distillation, membrane separation and PSA.

There are many methods and processes utilized for cryogenicrefrigeration, which is a component of cryogenic distillation. A goodreference of cryogenic refrigeration methods and processes known in theart would be “Cryogenic Engineering,” written by Thomas M. Flynn andprinted by Dekker. As written by Flynn, cryogenic refrigeration andliquefaction are the same processes, except liquefaction takes off aportion of the refrigerated liquid which must be made up, whereinrefrigeration all of the liquid is recycled. All of the methods andprocesses of refrigeration and liquefaction are based upon the samebasic refrigeration principals, as depicted in Flow Diagram 1.

As written by Flynn, there are many ways to combine the few componentsof work (compression), rejecting heat, expansion and absorbing heat.There exist in the art many methods and processes of cryogenicrefrigeration, all of which can be adapted for cryogenic liquefaction. Alisting of those refrigeration cycles would include: Joule Thompson,Stirling, Brayton, Claude, Linde, Hampson, Postle, Ericsson,Gifford-McMahon and Vuilleumier. As written by Flynn, “There are as manyways to combine these few components as there are engineers to combinethem.” (It is important to note, as is known in the art, that H₂ has anegative Joule-Thompson coefficient until temperatures of approximately350 R are obtained.)

Conventional cryogenic air distillation processes that separate air intoO₂, Ar and N₂ are commonly based on a dual pressure cycle. Air is firstcompressed and subsequently cooled. Cooling may be accomplished by oneof four methods: 1—Vaporization of a liquid, 2—The Joule Thompson Effect(which performs best when augmented with method 3), 3—Counter-currentheat exchange with previously cooled warming product streams or withexternally cooled warming product streams and 4—The expansion of a gasin an engine doing external work. The cooled and compressed air isusually introduced into two fractionating zones. The first fractionatingzone is thermally linked with a second fractionating zone which is at alower pressure. The two zones are thermally linked such that a condenserof the first zone reboils the second zone. The air undergoes a partialdistillation in the first zone producing a substantially pure N₂fraction and a liquid fraction that is enriched in O₂. The enriched O₂fraction is an intermediate feed to the second fractionating zone. Thesubstantially pure liquid N₂ from the first fractionating zone is usedas reflux at the top of the second fractionating zone. In the secondfractionating zone separation is completed, producing substantially pureO₂ from the bottom of the zone and substantially pure N₂ from the top.When Ar is produced in the conventional process, a third fractionatingzone is employed. The feed to this zone is a vapor fraction enriched inAr which is withdrawn from an intermediate point in the secondfractionating zone. The pressure of this third zone is of the same orderas that of the second zone. In the third fractionating zone, the feed isrectified into an Ar rich stream which is withdrawn from the top, and aliquid stream which is withdrawn from the bottom of the thirdfractionating zone and introduced to the second fractionating zone at anintermediate point. Reflux for the third fractionating zone is providedby a condenser which is located at the top. In this condenser, Arenriched vapor is condensed by heat exchange from another stream, whichis typically the enriched O₂ fraction from the first fractionating zone.The enriched O₂ stream then enters the second fractionating zone in apartially vaporized state at an intermediate point, above the pointwhere the feed to third fractionating zone is withdrawn.

The distillation of air, a ternary mixture, into N₂, O₂ and Ar may beviewed as two binary distillations. One binary distillation is theseparation of the high boiling point O₂ from the intermediate boilingpoint Ar. The other binary distillation is the separation of theintermediate boiling point Ar from the low boiling point N₂. Of thesetwo binary distillations, the former is more difficult, requiring morereflux and/or theoretical trays than the latter. Ar—O₂ separation is theprimary function of third fractionating zone and the bottom section ofthe second fractionating zone below the point where the feed to thethird zone is withdrawn. N₂—Ar separation is the primary function of theupper section of the second fractionating zone above the point where thefeed to the third fractionating zone is withdrawn.

The ease of distillation is also a function of pressure. Both binaryseparations become more difficult at higher pressure. This fact dictatesthat for the conventional arrangement the optimal operating pressure ofthe second and third fractionating zones is at or near the minimalpressure of one atmosphere. For the conventional arrangement, productrecoveries decrease substantially as the operating pressure is increasedabove one atmosphere mainly due to the increasing difficulty of theAr—O₂ separation. There are other considerations, however, which makeelevated pressure processing attractive. Distillation column diametersand heat exchanger cross sectional areas can be decreased due toincreased vapor density. Elevated pressure products can providesubstantial compression equipment capital cost savings. In some cases,integration of the air separation process with a power generating gasturbine is desired. In these cases, elevated pressure operation of theair separation process is required. The air feed to the firstfractionating zone is at an elevated pressure of approximately 10 to 20atmospheres absolute. This causes the operating pressure of the secondand third fractionating zones to be approximately 3 to 6 atmospheresabsolute. Operation of the conventional arrangement at these pressuresresults in very poor product recoveries due to the previously describedeffect of pressure on the ease of separation.

As used herein: the term “indirect heat exchange” means the bringing oftwo fluid streams into heat exchange relation without any physicalcontact or intermixing of the fluids with each other, the term “air”means a mixture comprising primarily N₂, O₂ and Ar; the terms “upperportion” and “lower portion” mean those sections of a columnrespectively above and below the midpoint of the column; the term “tray”means a contacting stage, which is not necessarily an equilibrium stage,and may mean other contacting apparatus such as packing having aseparation capability equivalent to one tray; the term “equilibriumstage” means a vapor-liquid contacting stage whereby the vapor andliquid leaving the stage are in mass transfer equilibrium, e.g. a trayhaving 100 percent efficiency or a packing element height equivalent toone theoretical plate (HETP); the term “top condenser” means a heatexchange device which generates column downflow liquid from column topvapor; the term “bottom reboiler” means a heat exchange device whichgenerates column upflow vapor from column bottom liquid. (A bottomreboiler may be physically within or outside a column. When the bottomreboiler is within a column, the bottom reboiler encompasses the portionof the column below the lowermost tray or equilibrium stage of thecolumn.)

While it is well known in the chemical industry that the cryogenicdistillation of air into O₂ and N₂ is the most economical pathway toproduce these elemental diatomic gases, it has not been proposed toutilize this industrial process to either: distill H₂ along with O₂ andN₂, fuel the combustion of O₂ with H₂ with O₂ from cryogenicdistillation and/or utilize the energy of the combustion of O₂ with H₂to power the cryogenic distillation of air. Previous work performed toseparate air into its components can be referenced in U.S. Pat. No.4,112,875; U.S. Pat. No. 5,245,832; U.S. Pat. No. 5,976,273; U.S. Pat.No. 6,048,509; U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,136; U.S. Pat. No. 6,298,668 and U.S.Pat. No. 6,333,445.

It is also well known in many industries to separate air with membranes.Two general types of membranes are known in the art: organic polymermembranes and inorganic membranes. These membrane separation processesare improved by setting up an electric potential across a membrane thathas been designed to be electrically conductive. While many of theseprocesses are well known and established, it has not been proposed toutilize either of these processes to fuel the combustion of O₂ with H₂or to utilize the energy of the combustion of O₂ with H₂ to power themembrane separation of air. Previous work performed to separate air intoits components with membranes can be referenced in U.S. Pat. No.5,599,383; U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,654; U.S. Pat. No. 6,277,483; U.S. Pat.No. 6,289,884; U.S. Pat. No. 6,298,664; U.S. Pat. No. 6,315,814; U.S.Pat. No. 6,321,915; U.S. Pat. No. 6,325,218; U.S. Pat. No. 6,340,381;U.S. Pat. No. 6,357,601; U.S. Pat. No. 6,360,524; U.S. Pat. No.6,361,582; U.S. Pat. No. 6,361,583 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,372,020.

It is also known to separate air into O₂ and N₂ with PSA. However, ithas not been proposed to utilize PSA to fuel the combustion of O₂ withH₂ or to utilize the energy of the combustion of O₂ with H₂ to power PSAseparation of air. Previous work performed to separate air into itscomponents with PSA can be referenced in U.S. Pat. No. 3,140,931; U.S.Pat. No. 3,140,932; U.S. Pat. No. 3,140,933; U.S. Pat. No. 3,313,091;U.S. Pat. No. 4,481,018; U.S. Pat. No. 4,557,736; U.S. Pat. No.4,859,217; U.S. Pat. No. 5,464,467; U.S. Pat. No. 6,183,709 and U.S.Pat. No. 6,284,201.

The discovered WCT relate to chemical methods, processes, systems andapparatus for producing H₂ from steam, since steam is the physical stateof the water product from the WCT. Previous work in this field hasfocused on refinery or power plant exhaust gases; none of that workdiscusses the separation of H₂O back into H₂. Previous work performed toutilize the products of hydrocarbon combustion from an internalcombustion engine can be referenced in U.S. Pat. No. 4,003,343. Previouswork in corrosion is in the direction of preventing corrosion instead ofencouraging corrosion, yet can be referenced in U.S. Pat. No. 6,315,876,U.S. Pat. No. 6,320,395, U.S. Pat. No. 6,331,243, U.S. Pat. No.6,346,188, U.S. Pat. No. 6,348,143 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,358,397.

The discovered WCT relate to electrolytic methods, processes, systemsand apparatus to electro-chemically convert H₂O into O₂ and H₂. Whilethere have been improvements in the technology of electrolysis and therehave been many attempts to incorporate electrolysis with a combustionengine, wherein the hydrocarbon fuel is supplemented by H₂ produced byelectrolysis, there has been no work with electrolysis to fuel acombustion engine wherein electrolysis is a significant source of O₂ andH₂. Previous work in electrolysis as electrolysis relate to combustionsystems can be referenced in U.S. Pat. No. 6,336,430, U.S. Pat. No.6,338,786, U.S. Pat. No. 6,361,893, U.S. Pat. No. 6,365,026, U.S. Pat.No. 6,635,032 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,003,035.

The discovered WCT relate to the production of electricity. Themechanical energy for a mechanically driven electrical generationdevice, which can be a generator or an alternator, is produced by thefuel(s) of the WCT. In addition, the steam energy for a steam drivengenerator is produced by the fuel(s) of the WCT; the WCT Engine exhauststeam energy may drive a steam turbine, thereby driving a generatorcreating an electrical current. Further, said exhaust gas, H₂O,minimizes environmental equipment. The discovered WCT presents acombustion turbine, wherein the exhaust gas is at least primarily if nottotally H₂O or H₂O and air. While there has been much work in the designof steam turbines, in all cases the steam for the steam turbine isgenerated by heat transfer, wherein said heat for heat transfer iscreated by nuclear fission or hydrocarbon combustion. The concept ofutilizing a steam turbine in the direct exhaust of a combustion engineor to recycle energy within a combustion engine, especially to createelectricity for the electrolytic conversion of H₂O into O₂ and H₂ is newand novel. Previous work in steam turbine generation technology orengine exhaust turbine technology can be referenced in: U.S. Pat. No.6,100,600, U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,901, U.S. Pat. No. 6,332,754, U.S. Pat.No. 6,341,941, U.S. Pat. No. 6,345,952, U.S. Pat. No. 4,003,035, U.S.Pat. No. 6,298,651, U.S. Pat. No. 6,354,798, U.S. Pat. No. 6,357,235,U.S. Pat. No. 6,358,004 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,363,710, the closest beingU.S. Pat. No. 4,094,148 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,286,315 B1.

The discovered WCT relate to air and water driven turbine technologiesto create electricity. Air or water driven turbine electrical generationtechnology would be applicable to combustion system(s) utilizing thediscovered WCT, wherein: there is a reliable source of moving air and/orwater. While a moving source of air or a moving source of water may bean excellent source of electrical power generation to fuel theelectrolysis of H₂O, the concept of either: the use of said electrolysisto fuel the discovered WCT or of a windmill or waterwheel to power saidelectrolysis in order to fuel the discovered WCT is novel. Previous workin wind driven generator technology can be referenced in U.S. Pat. No.3,995,972, U.S. Pat. No. 4,024,409, U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,419, U.S. Pat.No. 6,132,172, U.S. Pat. No. 6,153,944, U.S. Pat. No. 6,224,338, U.S.Pat. No. 6,232,673, U.S. Pat. No. 6,239,506, U.S. Pat. No. 6,247,897,U.S. Pat. No. 6,270,308, U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,680, U.S. Pat. No. 293,835,is U.S. Pat. No. 294,844, U.S. Pat. No. 6,302,652, U.S. Pat. No.6,323,572, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,635,981.

The discovered WCT relate to photovoltaic methods, processes, systemsand apparatus to create electricity, wherein said electricity is used tocreate at least one of H₂ and O₂, wherein said H₂ and/or said O₂ is usedas a fuel in said WCT. There are many methods, processes, systems andapparatus for the photovoltaic production of electricity, as is known inthe art. There are many methods, systems and processes wherein aphotovoltaic cell is used to create electricity for the electrolyticseparation of H₂O into H₂ and O₂, wherein the H₂ is used in a fuel cell.Previous work in photovoltaic cells in relation to the production of H₂can be referenced in: U.S. Pat. No. 5,797,997, U.S. Pat. No. 5,900,330,U.S. Pat. No. 5,986,206, U.S. Pat. No. 6,075,203, U.S. Pat. No.6,128,903, U.S. Pat. No. 6,166,397, U.S. Pat. No. 6,172,296, U.S. Pat.No. 6,211,643, U.S. Pat. No. 6,214,636, U.S. Pat. No. 6,279,321, U.S.Pat. No. 6,372,978, U.S. Pat. No. 6,459,231, U.S. Pat. No. 6,471,834,U.S. Pat. No. 6,489, 553, U.S. Pat. No. 6,503,648, U.S. Pat. No.6,508,929, U.S. Pat. No. 6,515,219 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,515,283. None ofthe previous work describes or suggests the use of a photovoltaic cellin combination with said WCT.

The discovered WCT relate to methods of controlling corrosion, scale anddeposition in water applications. U.S. Pat. No. 4,209,398 issued to Ii,et al., on Jun. 24, 1980 presents a process for treating water toinhibit formation of scale and deposits on surfaces in contact with thewater and to minimize corrosion of the surfaces. The process comprisesmixing in the water an effective amount of water soluble polymercontaining a structural unit that is derived from a monomer having anethylenically unsaturated bond and having one or more carboxyl radicals,at least a part of said carboxyl radicals being modified, and one ormore corrosion inhibitor compounds selected from the group consisting ofinorganic phosphoric acids and water soluble salts therefore, phosphonicacids and water soluble salts thereof, organic phosphoric acids andwater soluble salts thereof, organic phosphoric acid esters andwater-soluble salts thereof and polyvalent metal salts, capable of beingdissociated to polyvalent metal ions in water. The Ii patent does notdiscuss or present systems of electrolysis or of combustion.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,442,009 issued to O'Leary, et al., on Apr. 10, 1984presents a method for controlling scale formed from water solublecalcium, magnesium and iron impurities contained in boiler water. Themethod comprises adding to the water a chelant and water soluble saltsthereof, a water soluble phosphate salt and a water soluble polymethacrylic acid or water soluble salt thereof The O'Leary patent doesnot discuss or present systems of electrolysis or of combustion.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,631,131 issued to Cuisia, et al., on Dec. 23, 1986presents a method for inhibiting formation of scale in an aqueous steamgenerating boiler system. Said method comprises a chemical treatmentconsisting essentially of adding to the water in the boiler systemscale-inhibiting amounts of a composition comprising a copolymer ofmaleic acid and alkyl sulfonic acid or a water soluble salt thereof,hydroxyl ethylidenel, 1-diphosphic acid or a water soluble salt thereofand a water soluble sodium phosphate hardness precipitating agent. TheCuisia patent does not discuss or present systems of electrolysis or ofcombustion.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,640,793 issued to Persinski, et al., on Feb. 3, 1987presents an admixture, and its use in inhibiting scale and corrosion inaqueous systems, comprising: (a) a water soluble polymer having a weightaverage molecular weight of less than 25,000 comprising an unsaturatedcarboxylic acid and an unsaturated sulfonic acid, or their salts, havinga ratio of 1:20 to 20:1, and (b) at least one compound selected from thegroup consisting of water soluble polycarboxylates, phosphonates,phosphates, polyphosphates, metal salts and sulfonates. The Persinskipatent presents chemical combinations which prevent scale and corrosion;however, the Persinski patent does not address electrolysis orcombustion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary object of the invention is to devise environmentally friendly,effective, efficient and economically feasible combustion methods,processes, systems and apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to devise environmentally friendly,effective, efficient and economically feasible combustion methods,processes, systems and apparatus for an internal combustion engine.

Another object of the invention is to devise environmentally friendly,effective, efficient and economically feasible combustion methods,processes, systems and apparatus for electrical energy generation.

Another object of the invention is to devise environmentally friendly,effective, efficient and economically feasible combustion methods,processes, systems and apparatus for jet propulsion.

Another object of the invention is to devise effective, efficient andeconomically feasible combustion methods, processes, systems andapparatus that do not produce oxides of carbon.

Another object of the invention is to devise effective, efficient andeconomically feasible combustion methods, processes, systems andapparatus that minimize the production of oxides of nitrogen.

Another object of the invention is to devise effective, efficient andeconomically feasible fuel system for an environmentally friendly,effective and efficient combustion methods, processes, systems andapparatus.

Another object of the invention is to devise effective, efficient andeconomically feasible fuel methods, processes, systems and apparatus forenvironmentally friendly, effective and efficient internal combustionengines.

Another object of the invention is to devise effective, efficient andeconomically feasible fuel methods, processes, systems and apparatus forenvironmentally friendly, effective and efficient electricityproduction.

Another object of the invention is to devise effective, efficient andeconomically feasible fuel methods, processes, systems and apparatus forenvironmentally friendly, effective and efficient heat generation.

Another object of the invention is to devise effective, efficient andeconomically feasible combustion methods, processes, systems andapparatus that includes hydrogen and oxygen or hydrogen and air orhydrogen and oxygen and air, wherein the temperature of combustion iscontrolled so that economical materials of construction for a combustionengine can be used.

Another object of the invention is to devise effective, efficient andeconomically feasible methods, processes, systems and apparatus ofincreasing the efficiency of combustion.

Another object of the invention is to devise effective, efficient andeconomically feasible electrolytic methods, processes, systems andapparatus to convert water into oxygen and/or hydrogen utilizing theenergy available from combustion.

Another object of the invention is to devise effective, efficient andeconomically feasible catalytic methods, processes, systems andapparatus for the conversion of stream into hydrogen, wherein the steamis produced by a combustion engine that is fueled by at least one of:oxygen, hydrogen and water; oxygen, hydrogen, water and nitrogen;oxygen, hydrogen, water and air; hydrogen, water and air.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth inpart in a description which follows and in part will be obvious from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

An improved environmentally friendly process to create energy over thatof the combustion of fossil fuels would be a process that does notproduce a product of which the earth would have to naturally remove orconvert. H₂O is a product which could perform such a task. The Earth iscovered mostly by water. Water is made by the combustion of O₂ and H₂.Further, known methods to produce O₂ are by: liquefaction (cryogenicdistillation) of air; membrane separation of air, Pressure SwingAdsorption (PSA) of air and electrolysis of H₂O. All of these processesare friendly to the environment. In addition, H₂ is the most abundantelement in the universe existing in nearly all compounds andcompositions. Modifying our alcohol, oil, coal and gas refineries toproduce H₂ would stimulate economic expansion, while focusing theresponsibility of air pollution into a refining environment, whereinthat responsibility can be managed.

The discovered WCT manage energy much more efficiently than that of thetraditional combustion engine, as the traditional combustion enginerelates to transportation, electricity generation and heat generationapplications. This is especially the case with respect to the internalcombustion engine. The internal combustion engine, as well as combustionengines generally, loose approximately 60 to 85 percent of theircombustion energy in: heat losses from the engine, engine exhaust gasesand unused mechanical energy. It is discovered in that this inventionrecaptures significant energy losses by converting lost energy intopotential and into internal energy. This discovery directly follows thefirst and the second laws of thermodynamics. In one application, aninternal combustion engine, exhaust energy is converted into chemicalpotential energy.

The discovered WCT utilize the energy of combustion of O₂ with H₂ as theenergy source for combustion methods, processes, systems and apparatusto create energy. The combustion product of O₂ and H₂ is H₂O. Thiscombustion reaction is somewhat similar to that of hydrocarboncombustion; however, carbon is removed from the reaction and N₂ ispartially or totally removed from the reaction. In summary, WCTeliminates environmental issues associated with the combustion of C, Nand/or S.

2H₂+O₂→2H₂O+137 kcal

At 68.5 kcal/mole, H₂ has an energy value of 34 kcal per pound; thiscompares favorably to n-Octane which is 1300 kcal/mole=11 kcal per poundand methane which is 213 kcal/mole=13 kcal per pound.

While H₂O is an environmentally friendly combustion product, thecombustion temperature of O₂ with H₂ is too high for most combustionmaterials. And, especially in the case of the internal combustionengine, the implementation of any new combustion system would besignificantly facilitated through the use of traditional materials ofconstruction, so as to minimize the cost of engine construction. H₂O ispreferably used to control the combustion temperature of O₂ with H₂.Said H₂O can be in one of three forms: a solid (ice particles), a liquid(water vapor) and a gas (steam). If H₂O is in the form of a solid, thecombustion temperature will be controlled by: the heat capacity of solidH₂O, the sublimation energy of H₂O, the heat capacity of liquid H₂O, thelatent heat of vaporization of H₂O and the heat capacity of steam. IfH₂O is in the form of a liquid, the combustion temperature will becontrolled by: the heat capacity of liquid H₂O, the latent heat ofvaporization of H₂O and the heat capacity of steam. If the H₂O is a gas,the temperature will be controlled by the heat capacity of steam.

Air has traditionally been used as the combustion oxidant (O₂ in air).The combustion of O₂ with H₂, without the inclusion of N₂ and/or Ar orwith a minimal inclusion of N₂ and/or Ar from air, improves internalcombustion energy output by over 300 percent. This aspect of the instantinvention can be readily seen by comparing a combustion system whichutilizes air for the oxidant, wherein air is approximately only 20percent O₂ and 78 percent N₂, and a combustion system which utilizesvery pure O₂ as the oxidant. Nitrogen reduces the combustion temperaturewhile endothermically producing NO_(X), thereby creating pollution whilereducing engine efficiency. Since air is approximately 78 percent N₂,nearly 78 percent of the combustion mixture in a traditional combustionengine provides no energy during combustion, and in actuality, reducesthe energy output of combustion. While the N₂ in air can keep thecombustion temperature down, thereby producing exhaust gas temperaturesapproximately near or below 1000° F., so that the combustion temperatureis not harmful to traditional materials of engine construction, theaddition of H₂O to an O₂/H₂ fuel mixture approaches isothermalcombustion producing steam while cooling the temperature of combustion,thereby converting combustion heat energy into an energy form that iseasily utilized and/or recycled. The inclusion of N₂ does not providethe ability of energy recycle. The same discussion applies to Ar.

As is readily understood in combustion science, there are threecomponents required for combustion to commence: fuel, heat and ignition.Assuming a constant source of fuel (H₂ and O₂) and ignition, theaddition of H₂O to the combustion mixture presents a method and processto: limit the combustion temperature, minimize NO_(X) formation, andminimize the cost of materials of construction for the combustionengine, as well as maintain a high enough combustion temperature so thatcombustion may commence. The addition of H₂O to the combustion chambercan be managed to maintain combustion, as well as control thetemperature of combustion. Varying engine configurations, combustionchamber designs and materials of construction will determine the limitsof H₂O addition to the combustion chamber within the limits of fuelmixture and combustion temperature. Varying engine configurations,combustion chamber designs and materials of construction will determinethe limits of H₂O addition to the combustion chamber within the limitsof fuel mixture and combustion temperature. The addition of excess airto the combustion chamber can be managed to maintain combustion, as wellas control the temperature of combustion. This concept is especiallypractical in jet propulsion applications.

H₂O is discovered in this invention as a coolant and as a fuel, as wellas a combustion product. H₂O is presented in novel energy recyclemethods, processes, systems and apparatus to improve the efficiency ofcombustion by utilizing water as a combustion product, an energyconduit, a combustion coolant and an energy storage medium. Thediscovered WCT presents H₂O as at least one of: an energy storagemedium, a combustion product, a coolant and an energy transfer conduitand/or any combination therein. The importance of this aspect of theinvention can be appreciated by thermodynamic principals. By the firstlaw of thermodynamics, heat added to the system plus work done on thesystem equals changes in internal energy plus changes in potential andkinetic energy. The recycling of otherwise lost energy increases bothinternal and potential energy, thereby increasing efficiency of thecombustion systems. By the second law of thermodynamics: changes ininternal energy equal changes in entropy (at a specific temperature)minus work performed by the system. Since the WCT significantly reduceschanges in entropy by focusing otherwise lost entropy and enthalpy intoan exhaust enthalpy/entropy which can be recycled into internal andpotential energy, the WCT significantly increases internal and potentialenergy, thereby significantly increasing efficiency. The WCT uses thefirst and second laws of thermodynamics as an asset. In contrast,hydrocarbon combustion technologies have the first and second laws ofthermodynamics as a liability. Further, the use of H₂O in the combustionchamber theoretically approaches isothermal combustion.

It has been learned in the industry that frozen crystals of methane in aH₂ gas allow the H₂ to form a gel of H₂ and methane. Such gelcompositions are easier to handle than their cryogenically stored H₂. Itis an embodiment of the WCT to store at least one of H₂ and O₂ as a gelwherein the gel contains frozen water crystals, thereby improving thestorage characteristics of said H₂ or O₂.

The WCT utilizes electrochemical pathways to convert H₂O into O₂ and H₂,wherein the electrical energy for these pathways is obtained from atleast one of: cooling the engine, exhaust gas energy, combustion outputmechanical energy, photovoltaic energy and the energy of air or watermotion. Given that the efficiency of most combustion engines (especiallythe internal combustion engine) is only approximately 20 percent, thediscovered WCT can significantly increase the combustion efficiency.Assuming that the available H₂ fuel has a conversion efficiency nearthat of its hydrocarbon predecessors, thereby presenting a source valueof 100 percent for fresh H₂ and that the separation of air into O₂, N₂and Ar has an efficiency of conservatively near 20 percent, WCT methods,processes, systems and apparatus have the capability to increase theefficiency of a turbine combustion engine to near 40 to 70 percent andthe efficiency of the internal combustion engine to near approximately60 to 70 percent. It is theorized that the combustion efficiency can beincreased further, depending on the separation efficiency of air intoO₂, N₂ and Ar, the conversion efficiency of steam into electricity andin most applications the conversion efficiency of electricity into H₂and O₂. It is discovered that the theoretical limit of efficiency forthe discovered WCT is approximately limited to the efficiency limit inthe conversion of steam, mechanical, photovoltaic, wind and waterwheelenergy to electricity in combination with the efficiency limit ofelectrolysis to convert H₂O into H₂ and O₂ minus friction losses. Thistheoretical limit presents that the theoretical efficiency limit of themethods, processes, systems and apparatus of the WCT is nearapproximately 70-90 percent. (There is an interesting situation, whereinthe engine is not running and a photovoltaic cell increases thepotential energy by creating fuel from water. Under this scenario theengine actually increases its fuel without using any fuel, wherein theefficiency is infinate.)

The discovered WCT present methods, processes, systems and apparatus forseparating O₂ and N₂ from air in combination with the combustion of O₂with H₂. There are three methods of separation. By the first method, airis separated utilizing the cryogenic distillation process, which is usedto pressure, chill and distill the air, separating air into O₂ and N₂.By the second method, air is separated utilizing membranes; themembranes can be of either organic polymer construction or of inorganicconstruction. By the third method, air is separated by utilizingPressure Swing Adsorption (PSA). Utilizing PSA it is preferred that O₂be absorbed; however, it is practical that N₂ be absorbed. The separatedO₂, produced by at least one of these methods, is preferably used as afuel in the combustion systems.

Cryogenic Distillation—In the chemical industry, cryogenic distillationof air into O₂ and N₂ is a common pathway to produce these elementaldiatomic gases. However, it has not been proposed previously and it isnovel to utilize this process: in combination with H₂ distillation, tofuel the combustion of O₂ with H₂ and/or to utilize the energy of thecombustion of O₂ with H₂ to power the cryogenic distillation of air. Inaddition, nearly all industrial processes for the separation of air intoO₂ and N₂ utilize N₂ or N₂ and Ar as industrial products. In the case ofthe discovered WCT, the primary use of distilled N₂ and/or Ar would beas a heat sink. This heat sink is preferably utilized to perform atleast one of: cool the storage of O₂ or of H₂, facilitate cryogenicdistillation, cool the combustion engine and/or provide refrigerationand/or provide environmental cooling. In the case of the internalcombustion engine, this heat sink is preferably used in place of theengine water coolant cooling system (typically a fan cooled radiator)and/or the compressor for the passenger cooling (air conditioning)system. The distillation of Ar is immaterial except as a combustionefficiency improvement; the additional fractionating column to separateAr should be viewed on a capital investment—efficiency rate of returnanalysis.

Membrane Separation—Membrane separation is much simpler than cryogenicdistillation;

however, nitrogen is not available as a heat sink. By utilizing themembrane separation process, separate cooling systems will need topotentially be available for the engine and for any passenger orenvironmental cooling.

PSA—PSA separation is simpler than cryogenic processes yet morecomplicated than membrane separation. PSA has the same drawback asmembrane separation; N₂ would not be available as a heat sink. Byutilizing a PSA separation process, separate cooling systems will needto potentially be available for the engine and for any passenger orenvironmental cooling.

The discovered WCT relate to chemical methods, processes, systems andapparatus of producing H₂ from steam, since steam is the physical stateof the water product from combustion. The WCT converts steam into H₂utilizing a process, which is normally considered a detriment. The WCTutilizes corrosion to chemically convert steam to H₂. Corrosion utilizesO₂ to convert a metal to its metal oxide, while releasing H₂. This metaloxide has traditionally been viewed as a detriment since the metal oxidehas less strength, durability and luster than its metal counterpart. Thegeneral chemical reaction for corrosion with water as the oxidant wouldbe:

where, M is any metal or combination of metals from the Periodic Tableand eV is the electromotive potential. Due to the electromotivepotential of corrosion, many methods of protecting a metal againstcorrosion are based upon managing the electromotive potential of themetal. One such method is cathodic protection. Under cathodicprotection, the metal is protected against corrosion by producing anelectromotive potential in the metal that is counter to theelectromotive potential for corrosion of that metal. Where traditionalcathodic protection methods are used to prevent corrosion, the WCTproposes driving corrosion by creating an anodic potential. The WCTutilizes catalytic sacrificial metal(s) in the exhaust gas (steam),wherein an anodic potential is preferably used to drive corrosion of ametal or a composition of metals, thereby converting at least a portionof the steam to hydrogen. (A good reference for electromotive potentialswould be the Handbook of Chemistry and Physics by CRC Press.)

The discovered WCT relate to electrolytic methods, processes, systemsand apparatus to electro-chemically convert H₂O into O₂ and H₂. It is tobe understood that under the best of engineered circumstances, theelectrical energy required by electrolysis to convert H₂O into O₂ and H₂will be greater than the energy obtained by the combustion of O₂ and H₂.However, electrolysis allows for significant improvements in theefficiency of combustion by reclaiming energy which would otherwise belost.

Whether electrical energy is generated from the steam of combustion orfrom at least one of: mechanical energy conversion, steam energyconversion, light energy conversion, wind energy conversion or waterwheel energy conversion, once the capital cost of conversion equipmentis in place, the cost of energy conversion is limited to equipmentmaintenance expense. Four types of available electrical energygeneration are discovered: mechanical energy, steam energy, moving air(wind) or water energy and photovoltaic (sun) energy.

Electrolysis may create enough fuel from H₂O at a very low energyconversion cost to increase the efficiency of the entire combustionsystem. The application of the internal combustion engine is anexcellent example of a situation wherein electrolysis may be used toturn H₂O into a fuel source (potential energy). The internal combustionengine, once in operation, turns normally at approximately 500 toapproximately 6000 rpm and infrequently in specially engineeredsituation to approximately 10,000 to 20,000 rpm. There are manysituations in the operation of combustion engines wherein a generatoreither located on the drive shaft or activated by a transmission deviceand driven by the drive shaft, could be turned by the mechanical energyof the combustion engine to create an electrical current for theelectrolytic conversion of H₂O into O₂ and H₂. In addition, to theextent that H₂O is utilized to control the combustion temperature of thecombustion system is to the extent that a steam driven turbine generatorcan be further utilized in the exhaust stream of the WCT to createelectricity. Electricity can then be used for the electrolysis of H₂Ointo O₂ and H₂. Once the capital cost of either the mechanical drivengenerator or the steam driven generator has been made, the conversioncost of the mechanical or steam energy to electricity is limited toequipment maintenance expense. This same cost/benefit scenario wouldapply to a moving air (wind) or water driven generator, as well as tothe photovoltaic system.

The WCT relates to the application of muffler technologies as thosetechnologies are known and used to muffle the noise of combustion. Inthe case of the internal combustion engine, mufflers are installed tolimit the noise produced by combustion. While muffler designs do controlthe noise or air vibration from a combustion engine, current mufflerdesigns waste available combustion exhaust gas energy. The installationof a steam turbine in the combustion engine exhaust gas stream ispreferred to produce an electrical current. It is preferred that thesteam turbine absorb air vibration from combustion. It is preferred toinstall easily oxidized metal(s) in a contact/muffler chamber to createH₂ from the steam produced in the combustion systems. The combination ofa steam driven turbine generator and catalytic conversion metal(s) inthe exhaust would be a most preferred combination to convert the steamenergy of the exhaust gases from the combustion systems into electricalenergy, while muffling the air vibration in the exhaust gases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the present invention can be obtained when thefollowing description of the preferred embodiments are considered inconjunction with the following drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 and 1A provide a key to the symbols of Flow Diagram 1 and FIGS.2 through 24.

FIG. 2 illustrates in block diagram form a general thermodynamicdescription of a traditional hydrocarbon combustion engine.

FIG. 2A illustrates in block diagram form a general description ofproposed methods, processes, systems and apparatus to manage H₂O, O₂, H₂and air in the discovered WCT combustion engine.

FIG. 3 illustrates in block diagram form a general description ofproposed methods, processes, systems and apparatus for a combustionengine fueled by at least one of: O₂ and H₂; air and H₂; O₂, H₂ and airwherein H₂O is an option to cool the combustion chamber and to cool thecombustion temperature, and wherein the fuel system incorporatesalternate methods, processes, systems and apparatus to createelectricity for electrolysis to convert H₂O into H₂ and O₂.

FIG. 4 illustrates in block diagram form a general description ofproposed methods, procedures, systems and apparatus for a combustionengine fueled by at least one of: O₂ and H₂; air and H₂; O₂, H₂ and airwherein H₂O is an option to cool the combustion chamber and to cool thecombustion temperature, and wherein the fuel system incorporatescatalytic conversion of steam into H₂.

FIG. 5 illustrates in block diagram form a general description ofproposed methods, procedures, systems and apparatus for a combustionengine fueled by at least one of: O₂ and H₂; air and H₂; O₂, H₂ and airwherein H₂O is an option to cool the combustion chamber and to cool thecombustion temperature, and wherein the fuel system incorporates thecryogenic distillation of air into nitrogen and O₂.

FIG. 6 illustrates in block diagram form a general description ofproposed methods, procedures, systems and apparatus for a combustionengine fueled by at least one of: O₂ and H₂; air and H₂; O₂, H₂ and airwherein H₂O is an option to cool the combustion chamber and to cool thecombustion temperature, and wherein the fuel system incorporatescatalytic conversion of steam into H₂, as well as electrolysis toconvert H₂O into H₂ and O₂.

FIG. 7 illustrates in block diagram form a general description ofproposed methods, procedures, systems and apparatus for a combustionengine fueled by at least one of: O₂ and H₂; air and H₂; O₂, H₂ and airwherein H₂O is an option to cool the combustion chamber and to cool thecombustion temperature, and wherein the combustion temperature and thefuel system incorporates the cryogenic distillation of air into nitrogenand O₂, as well as electricity for electrolysis to convert H₂O into H₂and O₂.

FIG. 8 illustrates in bock diagram form a general description ofproposed methods, procedures, systems and apparatus for a combustionengine fueled by at least one of: O₂ and H₂; air and H₂; O₂, H₂ and airwherein H₂O is an option to cool the combustion chamber and to cool thecombustion temperature, and wherein the fuel system incorporatescatalytic conversion of steam into H₂, along with the cryogenicdistillation of air into nitrogen and O₂, as well as electrolysis toconvert H₂O into H₂ and O₂.

FIG. 9 illustrates in block diagram form a general description ofproposed methods, procedures, systems and apparatus for a combustionengine fueled by at least one of: O₂ and H₂; air and H₂; O₂, H₂ and airwherein H₂O is an option to cool the combustion chamber and to cool thecombustion temperature, and wherein the fuel system incorporates theseparation of air into nitrogen and O₂ with at least one of membranesand PSA.

FIG. 10 illustrates in block diagram form a general description ofproposed methods, procedures, systems and apparatus for a combustionengine fueled by at least one of: O₂ and H₂; air and H₂; O₂, H₂ and airwherein H₂O is an option to cool the combustion chamber and to cool thecombustion temperature, and wherein the fuel system incorporates theseparation of air into nitrogen and O₂ with at least one of membranesand PSA, as well as electrolysis to convert H₂O into H₂ and O₂.

FIG. 11 illustrates in bock diagram form a general description ofproposed methods, procedures, systems and apparatus for a combustionengine fueled by at least one of: O₂ and H₂; air and H₂; O₂, H₂ and airwherein H₂O is an option to cool the combustion chamber and to cool thecombustion temperature, and wherein the fuel system incorporatescatalytic conversion of steam into H₂, along with the separation of airinto nitrogen and O₂ with at least one of membranes and PSA, as well asalternate methods, processes, systems and apparatus to createelectricity for electrolysis to convert H₂O into H₂ and O₂.

FIG. 12 illustrates in bock diagram form a general description ofproposed methods, procedures, systems and apparatus for a combustionengine fueled by at least one of: O₂ and H₂; air and H₂; O₂, H₂ and airwherein H₂O is an option to cool the combustion chamber and to cool thecombustion temperature, and wherein the fuel system incorporatescatalytic conversion of steam into H₂, along with the cryogenicdistillation of air into nitrogen and O₂.

FIG. 13 illustrates in bock diagram form a general description ofproposed methods, procedures, systems and apparatus for a combustionengine fueled by at least one of: O₂ and H₂; air and H₂; O₂, H₂ and airwherein H₂O is an option to cool the combustion chamber and to cool thecombustion temperature, and wherein the fuel system incorporatescatalytic conversion of steam into H₂, along with the separation of airinto nitrogen and O₂ with at least one of membranes and PSA.

FIG. 14 illustrates in bock diagram form a general description ofproposed methods, procedures, systems and apparatus for heating thecombustion mixture for a combustion engine that is fueled by at leastone of: O₂ and H₂; air and H₂; O₂, H₂ and air wherein H₂O is an optionto cool the combustion chamber and to cool the combustion temperature.

FIG. 15 illustrates in block diagram form a general description ofproposed methods, procedures, systems and apparatus for a combustionengine fueled by at least one of: O₂ and H₂; air and H₂; O₂, H₂ and airwherein H₂O is an option to cool the combustion chamber and to cool thecombustion temperature, and wherein the fuel system incorporates thecryogenic distillation of air into nitrogen and O₂.

FIG. 16 illustrates in block diagram form a general description ofproposed methods, procedures, systems and apparatus for a combustionengine fueled by at least one of O₂ and H₂; air and H₂; O₂, H₂ and airwherein H₂O is an option to cool the combustion chamber and to cool thecombustion temperature, and wherein the fuel system incorporates theseparation of air into nitrogen and O₂ with at least one of membranesand PSA.

FIG. 17 illustrates in bock diagram form a general description ofproposed methods, procedures, systems and apparatus for a combustionengine fueled by at least one of: O₂ and H₂; air and H₂; O₂, H₂ and airwherein H₂O is an option to cool the combustion chamber and to cool thecombustion temperature, and wherein the fuel system incorporatescatalytic conversion of steam into H₂, along with the cryogenicdistillation of air into nitrogen and O₂.

FIG. 18 illustrates in bock diagram form a general description ofproposed methods, procedures, systems and apparatus for a combustionengine fueled by at least one of: O₂ and H₂; air and H₂; O₂, H₂ and airwherein H₂O is an option to cool the combustion chamber and to cool thecombustion temperature, and wherein the fuel system incorporatescatalytic conversion of steam into H₂, along with the separation of airinto nitrogen and O₂ with at least one of membranes and PSA.

FIG. 19 illustrates in bock diagram form a general description ofproposed methods, procedures, systems and apparatus for heating thecombustion mixture for a combustion engine that is fueled by at leastone of: O₂ and H₂; air and H₂; O₂, H₂ and air wherein H₂O is an optionto cool the combustion chamber and to cool the combustion temperature.

FIG. 20 illustrates in bock diagram form a general description ofproposed methods, procedures, systems and apparatus for liquefaction andcooling of O₂ and/or H₂ storage for a combustion engine that is fueledby at least one of O₂ and H₂; air and H₂; O₂, H₂ and air wherein H₂O isan option to cool the combustion chamber and to cool the combustiontemperature.

FIGS. 21 and 21A illustrate in bock diagram form a general descriptionof proposed methods, procedures, systems and apparatus for steamturbine(s), wherein the steam turbine(s) located in and powered by theexhaust of a combustion engine fueled by at least one of: O₂ and H₂; airand H₂; O₂, H₂ and air wherein H₂O is an option to cool the combustionchamber and to cool the combustion temperature.

FIG. 22 illustrates in bock diagram form a general description ofproposed methods, procedures, systems and apparatus for an air turbine,wherein said air turbine provides electricity to separate H₂O into H₂and O₂ for a combustion engine, wherein said combustion engine is fueledby at least one of: O₂ and H₂; air and H₂; O₂, H₂ and air wherein H₂O isan option to cool the combustion chamber and to cool the combustiontemperature.

FIGS. 23 and 23A illustrate in bock diagram form a general descriptionof proposed methods, procedures, systems and apparatus for a H₂Oturbine, wherein said H₂O turbine provides electricity to separate H₂Ointo H₂ and O₂ for a combustion engine, wherein said combustion engineis fueled by at least one of: O₂ and H₂; air and H₂; O₂, H₂ and airwherein H₂O is an option to cool the combustion chamber and to cool thecombustion temperature.

FIG. 24 illustrates in bock diagram form a general description ofproposed methods, procedures, systems and apparatus for pressure controlfor a combustion engine, wherein said combustion engine is fueled by atleast one of: O₂ and H₂; air and H₂; O₂, H₂ and air wherein H₂O is anoption to cool the combustion chamber and to cool the combustiontemperature.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The timing of the invention is significant since global warning isbecoming a global political issue. The timing of the invention issignificant since the availability of oil and natural gas, the sourcesof hydrocarbons, are becoming global political issues. The timing of theinvention is significant since air pollution is becoming a health issuefor much of humanity. The timing of the invention is significant sincethe market of natural gas (methane, ethane, propane and/or butane) isaffecting the production and/or market price of electricity. The WCTpresents environmentally friendly combustion methods, processes, systemsand apparatus, which are efficient and which will require a reasonableamount of tooling to implement. And, in the case of the internalcombustion engine, the WCT present a combustion process, which will havea “feel” to the driver which is similar to that of hydrocarboncombustion engines; this “feel” will further implementation of theinvention.

The methods, processes, systems and apparatus of the WCT solve themyriad of challenges that have kept hydrogen based combustiontechnologies from commercialization. These challenges are, yet are notlimited to: 1) fuel combustion temperature and the associated combustionengine cost, 2) the volume of fuel required and the associated fuelstorage requirements, 3) engine efficiency and the associated fuelrequired, 4) the generation of NO_(X), 5) engine efficiency and theassociated cost of operation, 6) combustion engine size and theassociated combustion engine cost, 7) required fuel and fuel storage ingeneral, 8) cost of operation in general, 9) combustion engine cost ingeneral, and in the case of the internal combustion engine 10) an enginethat meets customer expectations for feel, efficiency, cost andenvironmental impact.

The methods, processes, systems and apparatus of the WCT utilize theheat of combustion of O₂ with H₂ as the primary energy source forcombustion systems to create energy. A preferred embodiment of the WCTwould be a fuel mixture of O₂ and H₂. A most preferred embodiment of theWCT would be to add H₂O to the combustion chamber to control thecombustion temperature. It is an embodiment to cool the engine with H₂Oin the combustion chamber, wherein the gas of combustion is at least oneof water vapor and steam. It is an embodiment to cool combustion with anexcess of air. It is a preferred embodiment of WCT to manage the finaltemperature in the combustion mixture prior to ignition so that themixture is in at least one of a gaseous or fluid state. It is apreferred embodiment that the combustion methods, processes, systems andapparatus of the WCT be at least one of: internal combustion, open flame(heating) combustion and turbine combustion, as these applications areknown in the art of combustion science.

Since the storage of O₂ and H₂ would be best accomplished at cryogenictemperatures, cryogenic O₂ and/or cryogenic H₂ can be used to at leastpartially control combustion temperature. A preferred embodiment of theWCT would be to at least partially control the combustion temperatureand/or the engine temperature by the temperature of O₂ and/or H₂. It ismost preferred to preheat at least one of: O₂, H₂, and H₂O to atemperature/pressure combination that allows for efficient combustion.To manage this energy it is a preferred embodiment to heat at least oneof the: O₂, H_(2,) combustion H₂O and any combination therein by heatexchange from at least one of: ambient temperature, engine combustionenergy, engine exhaust steam energy and radiant energy from anelectrical resistant heating device and any combination therein. It ismost preferred to preheat at least one of O₂ and H₂ from the ambienttemperature prior to heating either: O₂, H₂ or H₂O by heat exchange fromat least one of: ambient temperature, engine combustion energy, engineexhaust steam energy, an electrical radiant heat energy source and anycombination therein. Since the heat capacity of water is much greaterthan that of water vapor (steam) and the latent heat of vaporization ofwater is a significant heat sink, it is a most preferred to heat the H₂Oto a liquid state and not to a gaseous or fluid state (steam). FIG. 19,approximates the preferred embodiment of heating the combustion mixture.While not most preferred, an embodiment of combustion would be to addH₂O with at least one of N₂ and Ar to the combustion chamber, utilizingas a heat sink the H₂O as well as N₂ and/or Ar to control the combustiontemperature. While not preferred, an embodiment would be to utilize airinstead of O₂ as a source of O₂, whenever enough O₂ is not available, tocombust with H₂ to produce H₂O as the primary combustion product,knowing that NO_(X) will be a secondary combustion product. It ispreferred to use an excess of air in the event that air is used insteadof O₂ as a source of O₂; excess air is preferred to control combustiontemperature and thereby minimize NO_(X) formation in the event that pureO₂ is not available. An embodiment for the combustion of air and H₂ ispreferably accomplished with H₂O added to the combustion chamber,thereby utilizing H₂O as a heat sink to reduce the combustiontemperature, thereby minimizing NO_(X) production; the use of H₂O as aheat sink has the additional benefit of producing additional steam inthe exhaust. For brevity, the methods, processes, systems and apparatusof the most preferred embodiment(s), the preferred embodiment(s) and theembodiment(s) of combustion will be herein after be referred to as WCT.Methods, processes, systems and apparatus for the WCT are approximatedin FIGS. 2 through 24.

Cryogenic Distillation—Methods, processes, systems and apparatus for WCTthat incorporate Cryogenic distillation are approximated in FIGS. 5, 7,8, 12, 15 and 17. Cryogenic distillation principals incorporated intothe WCT are those principles as are known in the art of cryogenicdistillation. It is to be understood that per theVapor-Liquid-Equilibrium diagram for each stage of distillation, thetemperature of distillation is dependent upon the distillation pressure;higher separation pressures lead to higher separation temperatures. Itis to be understood that the N₂/O₂ separation portion contains eitherone, two or three columns for the production of O₂, depending on thepurity desired; the second column may be eliminated to reach purities ofO₂ which are less than that of pure O₂. The third column is desired toseparate Ar from O₂, thereby producing very pure O₂.

A most preferred embodiment is to cool the air for distillationutilizing at least one of the Joule Thompson Effect and counter-currentheat exchange. A preferred embodiment is to cool the air fordistillation utilizing at least one of the Joule Thompson Effect and thevaporization of a liquid. An embodiment is to cool the air fordistillation utilizing at least one of the Joule Thompson Effect and theexpansion of a gas doing work in an engine. A most preferred embodimentis to operate the first stage distillation column at 100 to 200 psia. Apreferred embodiment is to operate the first stage distillation columnat atmospheric to 500 psia. A preferred embodiment is the use ofrecycled N₂ as a heat sink, wherein said N₂ is used to cool at least oneof: O₂ storage, H₂ storage, a cooling system of the combustion engine, acooling system for electrolysis, the combustion engine, electrolysis,air in an air-conditioning system, any portion of cryogenic distillationof air and/or any combination therein. A most preferred embodiment is tocryogenically distill air, wherein the energy utilized for cryogenicseparation is energy generated by the WCT and wherein the separated O₂from cryogenic distillation is utilized as a fuel in the WCT.

FIGS. 5, 7, 8, 12, 15 and 17 approximate methods, processes, systems andapparatus of the WCT, wherein cryogenic distillation is used to separateair, wherein O₂ from said separation is used as a fuel in said WCT.

Membranes—Membranes, of either organic or inorganic construction, caneffectively be used to separate air into O₂. Membrane separationprincipals incorporated into the WCT are to be those principles as knownin the art of membrane separation. Staged membrane separation ispreferred to produce very pure O₂. With the use of inorganic or organicpolymer membranes, it is preferred to place an electrical potentialacross a membrane designed to hold an electrical potential to facilitateseparation. It is most preferred to utilize at least one of organic andinorganic membranes to separate air, wherein the O₂ from said separationis used as a fuel in WCT. It is most preferred to utilize the energy ofcombustion from WCT to provide energy, wherein said energy powers theflow of air through said membrane(s), wherein said membrane separatesair, wherein the O₂ from said separation is used as a fuel in WCT.

PSA—Whether of positive pressure or vacuum adsorption, PSA caneffectively be used to separate air. PSA principals incorporated intothe WCT are those principles as are known in the art of PSA. While thereare material designs for the adsorption of O₂ as well as N₂, it ispreferred to perform O₂ adsorption to minimize the size of PSA. It ismost preferred to utilize PSA to separate air, wherein the O₂ from saidseparation is used as a fuel in WCT. It is most preferred to utilize theenergy of combustion from the WCT to provide energy, wherein said energypowers said PSA, wherein said PSA separates air, wherein the O₂ fromsaid separation is used as a fuel in the WCT.

FIGS. 9, 10, 11, 13, 16 and 18 approximate methods, processes, systemsand apparatus of the WCT, wherein at least one of organic membrane(s),inorganic membrane(s), PSA and/or any combination therein is used toseparate air, wherein O₂ from said separation is used as a fuel in saidWCT. In these figures, liquefaction of either H₂ or O₂ is a depictedoption. It is preferred to utilize warm generated O₂ and H₂ incombustion as a first preference over liquefied O₂ or H₂; therefore, itis most preferred that any liquefaction be performed in storage asdepicted in FIG. 20.

The WCT relates to chemical methods of producing H₂ from steam, sincesteam is the physical state of the water product from the WCT. FIGS. 4,6, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17 and 18 approximate methods, processes, systemsand apparatus discovered in this aspect of the WCT. The WCT convertssteam into H₂ utilizing the corrosion process. A preferred embodiment isto chemically convert the steam produced by WCT into H₂ utilizing thecorrosion of at least one metal. A most preferred embodiment is tochemically convert the steam produced by WCT into H₂, wherein said H₂ isproduced by the corrosion of at least one metal, wherein that corrosionis enhanced by an electrical current in the metal(s). A preferredembodiment to chemically convert the steam produced by WCT into H₂,wherein said H₂ is created by the corrosion of at least one metal,wherein said H₂ is used as a fuel in said WCT. A most preferredembodiment is to chemically convert the steam produced by WCT into H₂,wherein said H₂ is created by the corrosion of at least one metal,wherein said corrosion is enhanced by an electrical current in themetal(s), wherein said H₂ is used as a fuel in the WCT. In many of thesefigures liquefaction of H₂ is a depicted option. It is preferred toutilized warm generated H₂ in combustion as a first preference overliquefied H₂; therefore, it is most preferred that any liquefaction beperformed in storage as depicted in FIG. 20.

The WCT relate to electrolysis methods, processes, systems and apparatusto electrolytically convert H₂O into O₂ and H₂, wherein said O₂ and H₂are used as fuel in the WCT. Electrolysis principals incorporated intothe WCT are to be those principles as known in the art of electrolysis.FIGS. 3, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11 approximate the methods, processes, systemsand apparatus for electrolysis in the WCT. It is preferred to utilizewarm generated O₂ and H₂ in combustion as a first preference overliquefied O₂ or H₂; therefore, it is most preferred that anyliquefaction be performed in storage as depicted in FIG. 20. As a mostpreferred embodiment, the WCT stores energy by the potential chemicalenergy available in H₂O prior to electrolytic separation, as well as inO₂ and in H₂. Said O₂ and H₂ are available for fuel in the WCT and/orfor a fuel cell to create electrical energy. As a most preferredembodiment, the WCT stores energy by the potential chemical energyavailable in H₂O, wherein said H₂O can electrolytically be converted toO₂ and H₂, wherein at least a portion of said electrolytically convertedO₂ and/or H₂ is used as fuel in the WCT and/or in a fuel cell to createelectrical energy. As a preferred embodiment, the WCT stores energy bythe potential chemical energy available in at least one of: H₂O, O₂, H₂and any combination therein.

Since many combustion systems, methods, engines and apparatus have amechanical power output or mechanical energy rotating shaft, nearly allapplications of the WCT have the capability to convert availablemechanical rotating energy into electrical energy. Conversion ofavailable mechanical rotating energy into electrical energy is preferredutilizing an electrical generation device; most preferably a generator.It is an embodiment that an alternator or dynamo is used, wherein saidelectrical energy from an alternating current may be converted to adirect current. It is an embodiment for the WCT to perform work otherthan create electrical energy, generate heat or generate steam, whereinsaid generator is utilized inversely proportional to the mechanical workor torque performed by the WCT. It is a preferred embodiment that themechanical rotating energy produced by the WCT enter a transmission,wherein said transmission engage in a manner that is inverselyproportional to the torque and/or work output of the WCT, wherein saidtransmission output mechanical rotating energy turn said generator tocreate said electrical energy. Said transmission is to be as is known inthe art. It is most preferred that said transmission engage a flywheelcapable of storing rotational kinetic energy, wherein said flywheelturns said generator. FIGS. 3, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11 approximate methods,processes, systems and apparatus to recycle mechanical rotating energyas discovered. A preferred embodiment is the conversion of mechanicalrotating energy created by the WCT into electrical energy utilizing anelectrical generator device. A most preferred embodiment is wherein saidelectrical energy from said electrical generator device is utilized inthe electrolysis of H₂O into H₂ and O₂. A most preferred embodiment isthe conversion of mechanical rotating energy created by the WCT intoelectrical energy utilizing an electrical generator device, wherein saidelectrical energy is utilized in the electrolysis of H₂O into H₂ and O₂,wherein said H₂ and/or O₂ is used as fuel in the WCT.

Fuel Storage—By the ideal gas law (PV=nRT), it can be surmised that theefficiency of compression and efficiency of storage for O₂ and/or H₂increases significantly if the O₂ and/or the H₂ is stored at cryogenictemperatures. It is preferred to store at least one of H₂ and/or O₂ atcryogenic temperatures. It is preferred to store at least one of H₂and/or O₂ in a liquid state. Due to the explosive and flammable natureof H₂ and O₂, it is preferred to utilize N₂ as a refrigerant for thestorage of at least one of H₂ and O₂. Due to the negative Joule Thompsoncurve for H₂, it is most preferred to cool H₂ prior to any attemptedcryogenic chilling or liquefaction. Due to the rather extreme explosivenature of O₂, it is preferred to limit the required storage of O₂ withpreference to any of said O₂ generating technologies (cryogenicdistillation, membrane separation and/or PSA). To maintain fuel storagetemperatures, it is preferred to operate a compressor for at least oneof: liquefaction of O₂, chilling of O₂, liquefaction of H₂, chilling ofH₂ and any combination therein. It is most preferred that saidcompressor be powered by the WCT. FIG. 20, illustrates in block diagramform chilling and/or liquefaction of O₂ and/or H₂.

Since nearly all applications of WCT have an engine exhaust, nearly allapplications of the WCT will have the ability to convert combustionexhaust energy into electrical energy. It is preferred to insulate theWCT, as is known in the art of insulation, to manage energy. Insulationis most preferred in the WCT and the WCT exhaust, to thereby minimizeWCT enthalpy losses. Conversion of exhaust energy is preferablyperformed utilizing a steam turbine. FIGS. 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15,16, 17, 18, 21 and 21A approximate the methods, processes, systems andapparatus to convert steam energy into electrical energy. Steam turbineprincipals incorporated into the WCT are those principles as are knownin the art of steam turbine technology. A preferred embodiment is theconversion of steam energy, wherein said steam energy is created by theWCT, wherein said steam energy is converted into electrical energyutilizing at least one steam turbine, wherein said steam turbine(s)turns at least one generator creating said electrical energy. It ispreferred that said electrical energy be regulated. In the case whereinan alternator is used, it is preferred that said electrical energy beconverted from an alternating current to a direct current, as is knownin the art. A most preferred embodiment is wherein at least a portionsaid electrical energy is utilized in the electrolysis of H₂O into H₂and O₂. A most preferred embodiment is the conversion of steam energycreated by the WCT into electrical energy utilizing at least one steamturbine, wherein each said steam turbine(s) turn a generator device,wherein said generator device(s) creates an electrical current, whereinat least a portion of said electrical current is utilized in theelectrolysis of H₂O into H₂ and O₂, wherein at least a portion of saidH₂ and/or O₂ is used as fuel in said WCT.

It is preferred that many applications of the WCT perform some type ofmovement; therefore many applications of the WCT will have an availablesource of moving air or moving water. Applications of the WCT will havethe ability to convert the energy of moving air or water. FIGS. 3, 6, 7,8, 10, 11 and 22 approximate the methods, processes, systems andapparatus to convert moving air energy into electrical energy. Apreferred embodiment of the WCT is the conversion of the energy ofmoving air or water into electrical energy, wherein said electricalenergy is created by a generator from the moving air or water utilizinga generator which turns in direct consequence of the moving air orwater, wherein at least a portion of said electrical energy is utilizedin the electrolysis of H₂O into H₂ and O₂. It is preferred that saidelectrical energy be regulated. In the case wherein an alternatingcurrent is created, it is preferred that said electrical energy beconverted to a direct current. A most preferred embodiment is use of atleast a portion of said H₂ and/or O₂ as fuel in the WCT.

Steam Turbine Method, Process and System

The energy of steam is measured in temperature and in pressure. Assumingsaturated steam, steam energy is measured by pressure alone, i.e. thesteam is normally termed 150, 300 or 400 psig steam, etc. Only in thecase superheated steam is steam energy measured by both pressure andtemperature. Steam looses temperature and pressure as steam energy isused and/or lost. Upon loosing energy, steam temperature and pressure(usually just measured as pressure) reduces and the steam beginscondensing water. Once all of the steam energy is depleted, there is nopressure or water vapor, just hot water. Using this knowledge, one mayexpect all electrical generation facilities to use every last BTU orpsig of steam. Such is not done, because such is not economical, giventhe required investment in pollution control equipment, heat transferequipment (boilers) and in steam turbines. It is common for steamgeneration facilities to operate the final stage of electricalgeneration wherein the final steam turbine operates at less thanatmospheric pressure, 14.7 PSIA=0 PSIG. However, in the case of WCT,pollution control equipment is minimized in combustion and heat transferequipment is eliminated, thereby reducing investment and improving heattransfer. Heat transfer equipment is minimized or eliminated because theexhaust of the WCT Engine, steam, is directly transferred to the steamturbine. In the case of hydrocarbon combustion, energy of the hot gassesof combustion are transferred via a heat exchanger to water, therebycreating steam, after which said hot gases are transferred toenvironmental protection equipment. Said heat exchanger(s) are normallycalled boilers. The discovered WCT eliminate the need for boilers togenerate steam, thereby improving heat transfer, thereby improving steamgeneration efficiency.

It is preferred that steam turbine(s) of the WCT be installed in aconfiguration, wherein the exhaust of the WCT turn said steamturbine(s). Removal of steam energy is most preferably performed in astaged system, wherein at each stage a portion of the energy of thesteam is removed by a steam turbine and the resulting condensation isremoved prior to the next steam turbine or stage of energy removal. Itis most preferred that all of the steam energy (pressure) be removed bythe steam turbine/water removal system(s). It is most preferred that thecondensation generated during the generation of electricity betransferred to electrolysis. It is preferred that at least a portion ofthe energy of the steam (pressure) be removed by the steam turbine/waterremoval system. FIGS. 21 and 21A approximates the methods, processes,systems and apparatus to convert steam energy into electrical energy.

Air and Water Motion Turbine Method and System

The energy of moving air or water is measured in mass and velocity.Since the mass of air or water into an air or water turbine is equalsthe mass out of said turbine, the change in velocity is the measure ofenergy removal. That energy difference can be directly calculated usingthe laws of physics, specifically kinetic energy. However, it must benoted that the difference in velocity, the removed energy, which can beconverted into electrical energy by the turbine will have an oppositedrag force. For a stationary combustion engine of the discovered WCT,said drag force can be counterbalanced by the support structure of theturbine. However, in transportation applications wherein the drag forceis counter to the direction of motion, said drag force will reducetransportation efficiency. In transportation applications, the vehicleinherently contains a drag force that reduces transportation efficiency.To the extent that said contained drag force can be utilized to convertmoving air or water energy into electrical energy at a cost that is lessthan the energy losses in said contained drag force, is to the extentthat said wind and/or water turbine will have practical application. Onesuch application is that of a sail boat, wherein the drag force is inthe same direction as the direction of motion. FIG. 22 approximates WCTmethods, processes, systems and apparatus to convert moving air energyinto electrical energy.

In water applications, wave energy (vertical energy) is much greaterthan the energy of the water's movement (horizontal energy). It ispreferred in water applications that a generator be driven by the energyof the vertical wave movement. FIGS. 23 and 23A approximates WCTmethods, processes, systems and apparatus to convert moving water energyinto electrical energy. It is preferred to use said electrical energyfrom said water energy to electrolytically convert H₂O into H₂ and O₂.It is most preferred to use said H₂ and/or said O₂ as fuel for said WCT.

Photovoltaic Cells

Wherein light is available, it is an embodiment to utilize photovoltaiccells to create electricity. It is preferred to use said electricityfrom said photovoltaic cells to electrolytically convert H₂O into H₂ andO₂. It is most preferred to use said H₂ and/or said O₂ as fuel for theWCT.

Fuel Cells

Wherein electricity is required, it is an embodiment to utilize fuelcells to create electricity. In such applications, H₂ and potentially O₂with a fuel cell would replace a battery. It is preferred to create saidelectricity with a fuel cell when the WCT is not in operation. It ispreferred to utilize a fuel cell to power a compressor for chillingand/or liquefaction of H₂ and/or O₂. It is most preferred to utilize theWCT to create electricity. It is preferred that said fuel cell bepowered by hydrogen and at least one of O₂ and air.

Heating

The discovered WCT is especially suited for applications to generateheat. Heat generation may be performed using the WCT in both industrialand domestic applications. In the case of heating a gas or a liquid, theheat energy of the WCT can be effectively transferred via any heatexchange equipment as is known in the art of heat transfer.

In the case of heating air, it is most preferred that the exhaust ofcombustion be discharged directly into said air to be heated. In thecase of heating air to be used in an enclosed human, plant and/or animalapplication, wherein the combustion components are at least one of: O₂and H₂; and O₂, H₂ and H₂O, it is most preferred that at least a portionof the exhaust of combustion discharge directly into said air, therebyproviding humidified heated air.

In the case of heating water, it is most preferred that the exhaust ofcombustion discharge directly into said water to be heated, wherein thewater heater or hot water storage has a vent to release generatedNO_(X). In the case of heating water, wherein the combustion componentsare at least one of: O₂ and H₂; and O₂, H₂ and H₂O, it is most preferredthat the exhaust of combustion can be discharged directly into saidwater to be heated, and wherein the water heater or hot water storagehas a pressure relief device, as is known in the art.

It is most preferred in heating applications that the WCT createelectricity, as well as heat the subject gas and/or liquid.Configurations for the heating of a gas or a liquid are limited to thecreativity of the designer; however, configurations approximating theWCT, wherein the heating of a gas or a liquid is performed isapproximated in FIGS. 2 through 18, wherein heat transfer can beperformed either in the exhaust of said combustion or in the block ofsaid WCT (CE). (In this case cooling said CE is not a loss of efficiencysince the removed heat has a purpose.)

Cooling

The discovered WCT is especially suited for applications to remove heat.Heat removal may be performed using the WCT, wherein at least one of:cryogenic distillation is performed and/or the WCT provides mechanicalenergy, wherein said mechanical energy powers a refrigeration system. Inthe case of cooling a gas or a liquid, the heat sink capability of thechilled N₂ from said cryogenic distillation is preferably transferredvia heat exchange equipment, as is known in the art of heat transfer. Inthe case of cooling a gas or a liquid, a refrigeration unit ispreferably used, wherein said refrigeration unit is powered by energy iscreated by the WCT.

In the case of cooling air or water, it is most preferred that the heatsink capability of the chilled N₂ from said cryogenic distillation betransferred either directly to said air and/or via any heat exchangetechnology as is known in the art of heat transfer.

It is most preferred in cooling applications that the WCT createelectricity, as well as cool a gas and/or liquid. System configurationsfor the cooling of a gas or a liquid are limited to the creativity ofthe designer.

Water Chemistry

Water is the most efficient and economical method of storing O₂ and/orH₂. Electrolysis of water is the preferred method of converting storedH₂O into combustible H₂ and/or O₂. Electrolysis is best performed with adissolved electrolyte in the water; the dissolved electrolyte, mostpreferably a salt, will improve conductivity in the water, therebyreducing the required electrical energy to perform electrolysis. It isan embodiment to perform electrolysis upon water that contains anelectrolyte. It is preferred to perform electrolysis upon water thatcontains a salt. It is most preferred to perform electrolysis upon waterthat contains polyelectrolytes. However, many dissolved cation(s) andanion(s) combination(s) can precipitate over time reducing theefficiency of electrolysis. Due to inherent solubility, it is apreferred embodiment to perform electrolysis upon water that contains aGroup IA/Group VIIA salt (including acids). Further, as temperature isincreased, hard water contaminants may precipitate; therefore, it ispreferred that the water of electrolysis be distilled or de-ionizedprior to the addition of a Group IA/Group VIIA salt. Since electrolyticprocesses create heat, it is preferred to cool electrolysis. It is mostpreferred to cool electrolysis with the available heat sink from the N₂available from the cryogenic distillation of air.

A dispersant is preferably added to water to prevent scale. Dispersantsare low molecular weight polymers, usually organic acids having amolecular weight of less than 25,000 and preferably less than 10,000.Dispersant chemistry is based upon carboxylic chemistry, as well asalkyl sulfate, alkyl sulfite and alkyl sulfide chemistry; it is theoxygen atom that creates the dispersion, wherein oxygen takes its formin the molecule as a carboxylic moiety and/or a sulfoxy moiety.Dispersants that can be used which contain the carboxyl moiety are, butare not limited to: acrylic polymers, acrylic acid, polymers of acrylicacid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, itaconic acid,crotonic acid, cinnamic acid, vinyl benzoic acid, any polymers of theseacids and/or any combination therein. Dispersants that can be usedcontain the alkyl sulfoxy or allyl sulfoxy moieties include any alkyl orallyl compound, which is water soluble containing a moiety that is atleast one of: SO, SO₂, SO₃, and/or any combination therein. Due to themany ways in which an organic molecule can be designed to contain thecarboxyl moiety and/or the sulfoxy moiety, it is an embodiment that anywater soluble organic compound containing at least one of a carboxylicmoiety and/or a sulfoxy moiety. (This is with the knowledge that not alldispersants have equivalent dispersing properties.) Acrylic polymersexhibit very good dispersion properties, thereby limiting the depositionof water soluble salts and are most preferred embodiments as adispersant. The limitation in the use of a dispersant is in thedispersants water solubility in combination with its carboxylic natureand/or sulfoxy nature.

Water is inherently corrosive to metals. Water naturally oxidizesmetals, some with a greater oxidation rate than others. To minimizecorrosion, it is preferred that the water have a pH of equal to orgreater than 7.5, wherein the alkalinity of the pH is from the hydroxylanion. Further, to prevent corrosion or deposition of water deposits onsteam turbines, it is preferred to add a corrosion inhibitor to thewater. It is an embodiment to utilize nitrogen containing corrosioninhibitors, such as hydrazine, as is known in the art.

Corrosion inhibitors are added to water to prevent corrosion. Chelantscan be used to prevent corrosion, as well as complex and prevent thedeposition of many cations, including hardness and heavy metals.Chelants or chelating agents are compounds having a heterocyclic ringwherein at least two kinds of atoms are joined in a ring. Chelating isforming a heterocyclic ring compound by joining a chelating agent to ametal ion. Chelants contain a metal ion attached by coordinate bonds(i.e. a covalent chemical bond is produced when an atom shares a pair ofelectrons with an atom lacking such a pair) to at least two nonmetalions in the same heterocyclic ring. Examples of the number of chelantsused for mineral deposition in the present invention are water solublephosphates consisting of phosphate, phosphate polymers, phosphatemonomers and/or any combination thereof The phosphate polymers consistof, but are not limited to, phosphoric acid esters, metaphosphates,hexametaphosphates, pyrophosphates and/or any combination thereof.Phosphate polymers are particularly effective in dispersing magnesiumsilicate, magnesium hydroxide and calcium phosphates. Phosphate polymersare particularly effective at corrosion control. With proper selectionof a polymer, along with maintaining an adequate polymer concentrationlevel, the surface charge on particle(s) can be favorably altered. Inaddition to changing the surface charge, polymers also function bydistorting crystal growth. Chelants lock the metals in the water intosoluble organic ring structures of the chelants. Chelants providereactive sites that attract coordination sites (i.e. areas of the ionthat are receptive to chemical bonding) of the cations. Iron, forexample, has six coordination sites. All coordination sites of the ironion are used to form a stable metal chelant. Chelants combine withcations such as calcium, magnesium, iron and copper that could otherwiseform deposits. The resulting chelated particles are water soluble. Theeffectiveness of chelant(s) is limited by the concentration of competinganions, alkalinity and temperature.

The effect of adding sufficient amounts of the number of chelant(s) bythe WCT is to reduce available free metal ions in the water andtherefore, reduce the phosphate demand. Phosphate, such as phosphoricacid and/or pyrophosphoric acid is used to complex or form metalphosphates, which are insoluble. In the preferred embodiments, phosphatepolymers, such as metaphosphate and/or hexametaphosphate is used as acorrosion inhibitor and as a chelant to prevent correspondingly anyprecipitation of calcium and/or magnesium, while providing corrosioncontrol. Metaphosphate and/or hexametaphosphate, as well as polymersbased upon this chemistry, soften the water by removing the free calciumand/or magnesium ions from the water and by bringing the metal ions intoa soluble slightly-ionized compound or radical. In addition, the watercontaining any excess metaphosphate and/or hexametaphosphate willactually dissolve any phosphate or carbonate which may deposit.Metaphosphate and/or hexametaphosphate do not throw the metal ions outof solution as is the case of usual water softening compounds, butrather lock up the metal ions in a metaphosphate and/or ahexametaphosphate complex molecule; these molecules provide a one or twomolecule thickness coating on metal surfaces to limit metal corrosion.This is particularly important for heavy metal materials.

Operating Pressure Relief

The WCT will have applications wherein the recycling or uses of theexhaust gasses of combustion create high operating pressures. Further,it is very feasible that there may be unintended operating situations,wherein the operating pressure becomes greater than the design pressureof the equipment employed; any such situation can be a significantsafety issue. In the case of the internal combustion engine, asignificant industry paradigm shift may be required for the industry toeven consider trapping and recycling combustion engine exhaust gases.The discovered WCT will contain at least one of: H₂, N₂, O₂, H₂O and/orany combination therein at various pressures in many aspects of theinvention. To ensure that the WCT operate safely, in the event of anequipment operating failure or of equipment operating in excess of theintended pressure, pressure relief is preferred. Pressure relief canlimit the potential event of a catastrophic failure. It is preferredthat pressure relief device(s) be installed throughout the WCT as thosedevices are known in the art and as are normally located via a FailureMode and Effect Analysis and/or a Fault Tree Analysis. Example devicesinclude pressure relief valves, rupture discs and pressure reliefcontrol loops. It is most preferred that a pressure relief device beinstalled downstream of any compression generating portion of the WCT.As such, it is most preferred that pressure relief device(s) beinstalled immediately downstream of any compressor and in the combustionengine exhaust. FIGS. 2 through 18 approximate the location of pressurecontrol/relief in the combustion engine exhaust. FIG. 24 approximatespressure relief designs.

WCT Engine and Apparatus

Referring to FIGS. 3 through 18, a combustion engine (CE) issymbolically shown for receiving as fuel H₂ and at least one of: O₂ andair. Said combustion engine may be of any type, wherein combustion isperformed to generate at least one of mechanical torque, heat, thrust,electricity and/or any combination therein. It is preferred that H₂O bereceived in the combustion chamber, along with said fuel, said H₂O inthe combustion chamber is to be termed combustion H₂O.

H₂ flowing to CE is to have a flow. O₂ flowing to CE to have a flow. Airflowing to CE is to have a flow. Means to measure said H₂ flow, measuresaid O₂ flow and measure said air flow are to be provided such that aproportional signal in relation to flow is sent to the CE controller(CONT) from each of said H₂ flow measuring device, said O₂ flowmeasuring device and said air flow measuring device. H₂ flowing to CE isto have flow valve(s). O₂ flowing to CE to have flow control valve(s).Air flowing to CE is to have flow control device(s) in the form of avalve or a compressor. CONT is to have as input said H₂ flow signal,said O₂ flow signal and said air flow signal. Said controller is toreceive an input signal from an external source indicating thecombustion setpoint. Said controller is to compare said combustionsetpoint to said H₂ flow signal, sending a proportional signal to saidH₂ flow control valve that is in proportion to the difference in thecombustion setpoint and the H₂ flow signal, thereby proportioning saidH₂ flow control valve. CONT is to compare said O₂ flow signal and saidair flow signal to an H₂/O₂ ratio setpoint, providing a proportionalsignal to an O₂ flow control valve and to an air flow control device,wherein: said H₂ flow, said O₂ flow and said air flow are such that themolar ratio of H₂/O₂ is approximately 2:1. In the case wherein said O₂flow control valve signal is not near approximately 100%, CONT sends asignal to close said air flow control device. In the case wherein saidO₂ flow control valve signal is near approximately 100%, CONT comparessaid O₂ flow signal and said air flow signal to said H₂/O₂ ratiosetpoint obtaining an air flow difference, sending a proportional signalto said air flow control device that is in proportion to saiddifference, thereby proportioning said air flow control device.

To conserve energy, as depicted in FIG. 20, it is preferred that the H₂flow control valve(s) consist of a two staged system of flow controlvalves. The first H₂ flow control valve, downstream of generated H₂ anddownstream of H₂ storage is to control H₂ flow to CE. The second H₂ flowcontrol valve (for installations that have generated H₂) is to belocated from the generated H₂ line and be located in the H₂ line flowfrom H₂ storage. The second H₂ flow control valve is to remain closeduntil the first H₂ control valve is near approximately 100 % open(thereby assuring full usage of generated H₂ prior usage of stored H₂)at which time the second H₂ flow control valve will begin opening tosupply H₂ from storage.

To conserve energy, as depicted in FIG. 20, it is preferred that the O₂flow control valve(s) consist of two staged flow control valves. Thefirst O₂ flow control valve, downstream of generated O₂ and downstreamof O₂ storage is to control O₂ flow to CE. The second O₂ flow controlvalve is to be located from the generated O₂ line and be located in theO₂ line flow from O₂ storage. The second O₂ flow control valve is toremain closed until the first O₂ control valve is near approximately 100% open (thereby assuring full usage of generated O₂ prior usage ofstored O₂) at which time the second O₂ flow control valve will beginopening to supply O₂ from storage.

It is preferred that said combustion H₂O have flow to said combustionchamber(s) in CE. It is preferred that a source of coolant flow toand/or through the block of CE. It is preferred that a temperaturemeasurement device have a means of measuring combustion temperatureand/or CE block temperature near the combustion chamber(s) of CE. Meansto measure said combustion H₂O flow and measure said combustiontemperature are to be provided such that a proportional signal is sentto a controller (CONT) from each of said combustion H₂O flow measuringdevice and said combustion temperature measuring device. CONT is to haveas input said combustion H₂O flow signal, afore said H₂ flow signal andsaid temperature signal. It is preferred that CONT have a hottemperature setpoint, a coolant temperature setpoint, a warm temperaturesetpoint and an H₂/H₂O ratio setpoint. It is preferred that CONT compareafore said H₂ flow signal and said combustion H₂O flow signal to saidH₂/H₂O ratio setpoint, in combination with comparing said temperaturesignal to said warm temperature setpoint, said coolant temperaturesetpoint, said hot temperature setpoint and provide a proportionalsignal to said combustion H₂O flow control vale and to said coolant flowcontrol valve.

In the case wherein said temperature signal is less than said warmtemperature setpoint, less than said coolant temperature setpoint andless than said hot temperature setpoint, it is preferred that CONT senda signal to said coolant flow control valve to close said coolant flowcontrol valve; and send a signal to said combustion H₂O flow controlvalve to close said combustion H₂O flow control valve.

In the case wherein said temperature signal is equal to or greater thansaid warm temperature setpoint, less than said coolant temperaturesetpoint and less than said hot temperature setpoint, it is preferredthat CONT send a signal to said coolant flow control valve to close saidcoolant flow control valve; and send a signal to said combustion H₂Oflow control valve, wherein said signal is proportional to thedifference between said measured temperature signal and the warmtemperature setpoint, and wherein the H₂/H₂O ratio is greater than saidH₂/H₂O ratio setpoint, thereby proportioning said combustion H₂O flowcontrol valve.

In the case of said temperature signal greater than said warmtemperature setpoint, equal to or greater than said coolant setpoint andless than said hot temperature setpoint, it is preferred that CONT senda signal to the combustion H₂O flow control valve, wherein the H₂/H₂Oratio is equal to said H₂/H₂O ratio setpoint, thereby proportioning saidcombustion water flow control valve; and send a signal to said coolantflow control valve, wherein said signal is proportional to thedifference between said temperature signal and said coolant setpoint,thereby proportioning said coolant flow control valve.

In the case wherein the temperature signal is greater than said warmtemperature setpoint, greater than said coolant setpoint and equal to orgreater than said hot temperature setpoint, it is preferred that CONTsend a signal to open the combustion H₂O flow control valve 100%, whichobtains a H_(2/)H₂O ratio less than said H₂/H₂O setpoint; and send asignal in proportion to the difference between the temperature signaland said coolant setpoint to said coolant flow valve, therebyproportioning said coolant flow control valve; and send a signal to saidH₂ flow control valve, thereby closing said H₂ flow control valve; andsend a signal to said O₂ flow control valve, thereby closing said O₂flow control valve; and send a signal to said air flow control device,thereby closing said air flow control device.

It is most preferred that the WCT Engine operate at a temperaturebetween said warm temperature setpoint and said coolant temperaturesetpoint. It is preferred that energy not leave the WCT engine viacoolant. It is most preferred that required engine cooling be performedby the addition of combustion H₂O to the combustion chamber(s).

Said WCT Engine is to preferably obtain O₂ from at least one of: O₂storage, cryogenic distillation, membrane separation, PSA, electrolysisof H₂O and/or any combination therein. Said cryogenic distillation is toobtain O₂ from at least one of air and/or electrolysis of H₂O. Saidmembrane separation and/or said PSA is preferably to obtain O₂ from air.Said cryogenic distillation and/or said membrane separation and/or saidPSA is to preferably be powered by said WCT Engine. Said O₂ storage isto preferably be performed at cryogenic temperatures. The mechanicalenergy for said cryogenic storage is preferably created by said WCTEngine.

Said WCT Engine is preferably to obtain H₂ from at least one of: H₂storage, steam corrosion of a metal(s), electrolysis of H₂O and/or anycombination therein. Said steam, to produce H₂ from said corrosion, ispreferably an exhaust product of said WCT Engine. Said H₂ storage is topreferably be performed at cryogenic temperatures. The mechanical energyfor said cryogenic storage is preferably created by said WCT Engine.

Afore said electrolysis of H₂O is preferably to obtain electrical energyfor electrolysis from a generator driven by at least one of: a steamturbine, mechanical rotating energy, an air turbine powered by theenergy of moving air, a water turbine powered by the energy of movingwater and/or any combination therein and/or photovoltaic cell(s). It ispreferred that said electrical energy be regulated. In the case whereinan alternator or dynamo is used, it is preferred that said electricalenergy be converted from an alternating current to a direct current.Said steam turbine is most preferably powered by steam generated byafore said WCT Engine. Said mechanical rotating energy is preferablypowered by afore said WCT Engine.

The WCT Engine is to preferably generate mechanical energy in the formof torque. It is preferred that said mechanical energy turn a generator,wherein said generator create electrical energy. Exhaust from said WCTEngine is preferably to turn a steam turbine, wherein said steam turbineturns a generator, wherein said generator creates electrical energy. Itis preferred that at least a portion of said electrical energy is usedto electrolytically convert H₂O into H₂ and O₂. It is most preferred touse a portion of said H₂ and/or said O₂ as fuel for said WCT Engine.

Materials of construction for the WCT Engine, the fuel and energymanagement systems and apparatus are to be those as known in the art foreach application as said application is otherwise performed in thesubject art. For example, various composite and metal alloys are knownand used as materials for use at cryogenic temperatures. Variouscomposite and metal alloys are known and used as materials for use atoperating temperatures of over 500° F. Various ceramic materials can beconductive, perform at operating temperatures of over 2,000° F., act asan insulator, act as a semiconductor and/or perform other functions.Various iron compositions and alloys are known for their performance incombustion engines that operate approximately in the 200 to 1,500° F.range. Titanium and titanium alloys are known to operate over 2,000 and3,000° F. Tantalum and tungsten are known to operate well over 3,000° F.It is preferred to have at least a portion of the construction of theWCT Engine contain an alloy composition wherein at least one of: aperiod 4, period 5 and/or a period 6 heavy metal is used, as thatmetal(s) is known in the art to perform individually or to combine in analloy to limit corrosion and/or perform in a cryogenic temperatureapplication and/or perform in a temperature application over 1,000° F.While aluminum is lightweight and can perform limited structuralapplications, aluminum is limited in application temperature. Due to theoperating temperatures involved in the WCT Engine, thermoplasticmaterials are not preferred unless the application of use takes intoaccount the glass transition temperature and the softening temperatureof the thermoplastic material.

EXAMPLE 1

A traditional gasoline internal combustion engine obtains approximately20 miles per gallon. Performing an energy balance on the engine,according to FIG. 2:

E_(F)=E_(W)+E_(EX)+E_(C)+E_(fric)+C_(E)

E_(F)=20 mpg+≈35% E_(F)+≈35% E_(F)+≈9% E_(F)+≈1% E_(F)

E_(F)E_(W)+≈80% E_(F) in energy losses for internal CE(s).

E_(F)=20 mpg+80% E_(F); E_(F)=100 mpg and E_(W)≈20% E _(F)

Again,

E_(F)=E_(W)+E_(EX)+E_(C)+E_(fric)+C_(E)

Assuming: 1) complete engine insulation, 2) a steam turbine with 80%efficiency, 2) a generator with 90% efficiency and 3) an electrolysisunit with 80% efficiency turns E_(X) and E_(C) together intoapproximately 30% E_(F)

Using WCT,

E_(F)=E_(W)+30% E_(F)+≈9% E_(F)+≈1% E_(F)

E_(F)=E_(W)+≈40% E_(F) (energy losses); E_(W) (WCT)=60% E_(F)

EXAMPLE 2

Referencing CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, the total availablecombustion energy for n-Octane is approximately 1,300 kcal/mole; at 114lb/lb mole E_(F)=11.4 kcal/g and at 454 g/lb. E_(F)=5176 kcal/lb. (Thisexcludes endothermic losses in the formation of NO_(X).) Further, thedensity of n-Octane is approximately 5.9 lb/gallon, which leads toenergy figures for n-Octane in the average automobile:

E _(F)≈100 mpg=17 mile/lb.=5176 kcal/b.; E _(W)≈20 mpg=3.4 mile/lb.=1143kcal/lb.

The total available energy for the combustion of hydrogen is 68kcal/mole; at 2 lb/lb mole E_(F)=34 kcal/g=15436 kcal/lb. Therefore, ona mass basis, H₂=34/11.4≈3 times more energy per pound.

Using WCT, 60%/20%=3 times more efficient. Correlating, energy figuresfor WCT in the average automobile:

First, the fuel availability must be calculated. H₂ is 100% asdelivered. Since cryogenics are at least approximately 16% efficient,the production of O₂ is conservatively estimated to be 16% efficient.

2/3×1+1/3×0.16≈70%

(Therefore, approximately 30% of the energy of the H₂ and O₂ is used togenerate O₂.)

${{E_{F} \approx \frac{\begin{matrix}{17\mspace{14mu} {mile}\text{/}{{lb}.\mspace{14mu} {Octane}} \times 0.70 \times} \\{15436\mspace{14mu} {kcal}\text{/}{{lb}.\mspace{14mu} H_{2}} \times 3}\end{matrix}}{5176\mspace{14mu} {kcal}\text{/}{{lb}.\mspace{14mu} n}\text{-}{Octane}}} = {35.5\mspace{14mu} {miles}\text{/}{{lb}.\mspace{14mu} H_{2}}}};$E_(W) ≈ 21.3  mile/lb.  H₂

(Note: Every mole of H₂ requires ½ mole of generated O₂; therefore, atSTP every psig of H₂ requires 0.5 psig of O₂.)

EXAMPLE 3

According to the Chemical Market Reporter, H₂ has a market price ofapproximately $0.50/lb. and gasoline has a price of approximately $1.60per gallon or approximately $0.27 per pound. Utilizing traditionalhydrocarbon combustion technology in transportation, the cost per milefor fuel is:

$0.27 per lb./3.4 mile per lb.=$0.08 per mile for gasoline

Utilizing the WCT with $0.50/lb. H₂, the cost per mile for fuel is:

$0.50 per lb./21.3 mile per lb.=$0.023 per mile

(This calculation can be altered to the current market price ofhydrogen.)

EXAMPLE 4

Electrical power plants currently produce electricity using a naturalgas turbine followed by a steam turbine, wherein the energy for steamgeneration is transferred via a boiler from the exhaust gas of thenatural gas turbine. As is typical in the industry:

-   -   The efficiency of combustion is approximately 99 percent.    -   The efficiency of the natural gas turbine is approximately 20        percent.    -   The efficiency of the boiler is approximately 85 percent.    -   The efficiency of the steam generator is approximately 90        percent.

Utilizing the above, the efficiency of electricity generation isapproximately:

0.99×0.20+0.99×0.20×0.85×0.90=35 percent

For WCT utilizing the combustion/steam turbine configuration in FIG.23A, appropriate assumptions for efficiency would be approximately:

-   -   The efficiency of combustion near 99 percent.    -   The efficiency of O₂ generation (cryogenics at least 16%) near        16 percent.    -   Hydrogen is delivered, thereby having 100% delivery efficiency.    -   Heat loss of water at exhaust ((1200° F.-212° F.)/1200° F.)≈80%        percent.    -   Friction losses near 12 percent.

Utilizing the above, the efficiency of electricity generation isapproximately:

0.99×(2/3×1+1/3×0.16)×0.80×0.88=50 percent

(This can be improved if the final steam turbine operates at less thanatmospheric pressure.)

Utilizing the above, incorporating:

-   -   An H₂ price of approximately $0.50 per pound.    -   A natural gas price of approximately $6.00 per thousand cubic        feet.    -   A natural gas energy value of approximately 212 kcal/mole.

The cost of electricity production for WCT on a kcal basis is:

(15436 kcal./lb. H₂)×(lb. H₂/$0.50)×0.50=15436 kcal/$

The cost of electricity production for a traditional natural gas planton a kcal basis is:

First convert cubic feet to pounds at STP and convert to kcal/lb.:

1000 cubic feet (tcf)/360 cubic feet per lb. mole=2.78 lb. mole

2.78 lb. mole×16 lb./lb. mole=44.5 lb. gas; $6.00/44.5 lb.gas=$0.135/lb. gas

212 kcal/mole×454 mole/lb. mole gas)×(lb. mole gas/16 lb. gas)=6016kcal/lb. gas

Second, estimate economics:

(6016 kcal/lb. gas)×(lb. gas/$0.135)×0.35=15784 kcal/$

EXAMPLE 5

In residential heating, natural gas is often used. Referencing above,the cost of natural gas heating, assuming 80% heat transfer efficiencyis:

($8.00 per tcf/45 lb. per tcf)×0.80/13.25 kcal/lb.=$0.011/kcal

For WCT using membranes and referencing above with 40% efficiency:

$0.50/lb.×(2/3×1+1/3×0.40)×0.80/34 kcal/lb.=$0.009/kcal

EXAMPLE 6

Please refer to Flow Diagram 2.

Thrust=Force=F=dMe/dt Ve−dMo/dt Vo; Let Me=Mo+M_(F),

wherein M_(F)=mass of fuel.

F=_(to)∫^(t1) _(Vo)∫^(Ve)Me−Mo=_(to)∫^(t1)_(Vo)∫^(Ve)Mo+M_(F)−Mo=_(to)∫^(t1) _(Vo)∫^(t1) _(Vo)∫^(Ve)M_(F)

For WCT, F_(WCT)=_(to)∫^(t1) _(Vo)∫^(Ve){M_(H2)+M_(O2)M_(H2O)};F_(Kerosene)=F_(K)=_(to)∫^(t1) _(Vo)∫^(Ve){M_(K)+M_(O2)}

Assuming the same time integration and the same thrust velocityintegration, then the comparison for thrust can be written as:

Is, F_(WCT)≧F_(K)? And, therefore,IS{M_(H2)+M_(O2)+M_(H2O)}≧{M_(K)+M_(O2)}?

And, then is {M_(H2)+M_(H2O)+M_(Air)}≧{M_(K)+M_(Air)}?

And, then is {M_(H2)+M_(H2O)}≧{M_(K)}?

And, then is {M_(H2)+M_(Air)}≧{M_(K)+M_(Air)}?

ΔH_(H2)=51,571 BTU/lb., ΔH_(K)=19,314 BTU/lb.,

H₂+1/2O₂→H₂O C₁₄H₃₀+43/2O₂→14 CO₂+15 H₂O

1 lb.+8 lb.→9lb. 1 lb.+3.47 lb.→3.11 lb.+1.36 lb.

Cp_(K)=0.6 BTU ° F./lb., Cp_(H2O)≈0.46 BTU ° F./lb., Cp_(H2)=3.45 BTU °F./lb.,

Cp_(Air)=0.46 BTU ° F./lb.; ΔH_(V,H2O)=974 BTU/lb., ΔH_(F,H2O)=144BTU/lb.,

Kerosene(K) a liquid, H₂ vaporized by ambient temperatureAssuming stochiometric air and thereby the same combustion exhausttemperature≈1000° F., then there is approximately 1000° F. temperaturedifferential to combustion temperature. (Note air is 18% O₂.) Doing anenergy balance:

ΔH Combustion=ΣΔH's

ΔH_(K)=Cp_(K) (lb. K)(1000)+Cp_(AIR) (3.47/0.18)(1000)+Cp_(AIR)(lb.AIR)(1000)

19,314=(0.6)(1)(1000)+0.46(3.47/0.18)(1000)+0.46(lb. Air)(1000)

∴ 19,314=600+8868+460(lb. Air), Air (cooling)=21 lb., Totalair=21+3.47/0.18=40.3 lb.∴ For K, 1 lb. K/40.3 lb. air=41.3 lb. thrust @ 1000° F. (40.3 lb.air/lb. K≈1000 ft.³ air/lb. K)

ΔH_(H2)=3.45(1)(1000)+0.46(8/0.18)(1000)+0.46(lb. H₂O)(1000)+974 (lb.H₂O)

51,571=3450+20,444+1434 (lb. H₂O), H₂O cooling=19.3 lb., Air=8/0.18=44.4lb.

∴ For H₂, 1 lb. H_(2/44.4) lb. air/19.3 lb. H₂O=64.7 lb. thrust. (Notethis design requires a 10% increase in intake air compression systemcapability while maintaining 1000° F. exhaust temperature.) If the sameair is used with no H₂O cooling, then the fuel is reduced by19,314/51,571=0.374, 19,314=3.45(0.374)(1000)+0.46(8/0.18)(0.374)(1000)+0.46(lb. Air)(1000), Air(cooling)=22.6 lb.; Air combustion=8(0.374)/0.18=16.62 lb., totalair=39.22 lb.∴ For H₂ w/air cooling, 0.37 lb. H₂/39.22 lb. Air=39.6 lb. Thrust, a 5%reduction @1000° F. (39.22 lb. air/0.37 lb. H₂=106 lb. air/lb. H₂≈2630ft.³ air/lb. H₂. (Note this design requires a 160% increase in intakeair compression system capability to maintain 1000° F. exhausttemperature.)∴ Previous issues with H₂ are H₂ requires 160% more air per pound thanKerosene to burn at the same temperature. H₂ requires an airincrease/air compressor capability increase to perform similar toKerosene.

Evaluation of Alternative Propulsion Options:

Sg of Liquid H₂=0.07; Sg of Liquid O₂=1.14; Sg of H₂O=1.00; Sg of K=0.800.8/0.07=11.4 times the volume; however at (51,571/19,314) 2.67 timesthe energy, 11.4/2.67=4.27 times the volume, say 4.3 times the volume.

While every lb. of H₂O equals a lb. of thrust, there is no thrustmultiplication effect for the H₂O, as there is with fuel. There is abenefit to create a hydrogen gel with H₂O instead of the currentlyproduced hydrogen methane gel. However, ice sublimation energy willslightly reduce thrust:

19,314=3.45(0.374)(1000)+0.46(8/0.18)(0.374)(1000)+0.46(lb.Air)(1000)+144(0.0374)+0.46(0.0374)(1000)

10,355=460(lb. Air, Air (cooling)=22.5 lb.

∴ Thrust=22.5+8/0.18(0.374)+0.374+0.0374=39.5 lb.

Moving to H₂ and O₂ Systems w/Air Cooling:

51,571=3.45(1)(1000)+0.44(8)(1000)+0.46 (lb. Air)(1000), Air(cooling)=97 lb.

∴ Thrust=105 lb., lb. Thrust/lb. fuel=105/9=11.67Moving to H₂ and O₂ Systems with H₂O Cooling:

51,571=3.45(1)(1000)+0.44(8)(1000)+0.46 (lb. H₂O)(1000)+144(lb. H₂O)

∴ H₂O (cooling)=73 lb.∴ Thrust=82 lb., lb. Thrust/lb. fuel=1.0Both systems with O₂ could contain an O₂ gel with H₂O as the frozencomponent. In all WCT applications, H₂ could be a H₂ gel with H₂O as thefrozen component. In rocket applications, the hydrogen could be mixedwith frozen water and with frozen oxygen to create ahydrogen/oxygen/water gel. The molar ration of H₂/O₂ would be preferably2, and the amount of water in the gel would depend on the coolingdesired versus the acceptable explosivity of the gel. (Extremelyexplosive mixture.) Hydrogen has a wide combustion window, approximately5 to 90% in air.

Preferred Embodiments:

-   1. Preferred operation is H₂ with air while stoichiometically    increasing the jet air intake for H₂ thermodynamics and/or to    operate with excess air for cooling.-   2. To increase thrust, H₂ with O₂ and excess air cooling is most    preferred. To increase thrust H_(2, O) ₂ with H₂O is preferred.-   3. It is preferred to use H₂ and air at altitudes wherein there is    enough air available. H₂, O₂ and air is preferred at moderate    altitudes and high altitudes. H₂, O₂ and H₂O is preferred at all    altitudes and most preferred at very high altitudes, such as in a    space plane application.-   4. H₂, O₂ and air is preferred in after burn or high thrust    situations, thereby increasing thrust capability upwards of 150%    over that available with K or H₂ combined with air.-   5. H₂O is preferred to cool exhaust, thereby reducing the WCT heat    signature and the ability of a heat seeking missile to find the WCT.

Certain objects are set forth above and made apparent from the foregoingdescription. However, since certain changes may be made in the abovedescription without departing from the scope of the invention, it isintended that all matters contained in the foregoing description shallbe interpreted as illustrative only of the principles of the inventionand not in a limiting sense. With respect to the above description, itis to be realized that any descriptions, drawings and examples deemedreadily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art and allequivalent relationships to those described in the specification areintended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur tothose skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention tothe exact construction and operation shown and described, andaccordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resortedto, falling within the scope of the invention. It is also to beunderstood that the following claims are intended to cover all of thegeneric and specific features of the invention herein described, and allstatements of the scope of the invention, which, as a matter oflanguage, might be said to fall in between.

1. An engine comprising a mixture of hydrogen, as H₂, and oxygen, as O₂,wherein temperature of combustion is at least partially controlled withthe addition of water to combustion, and wherein at least one of: a) agenerator turns due to the movement of air or water, wherein  thegenerator creates electrical energy, wherein  the electrical energy isat least partially utilized in the producing hydrogen and oxygen fromthe electrolysis of water, and wherein  at least a portion of at leastone of the hydrogen and of the oxygen from the electrolysis of water isused in said mixture; and b) a photovoltaic cell creates electricalenergy, wherein  the electrical energy is at least partially used in theproducing hydrogen and oxygen from the electrolysis of water, andwherein  at least a portion of at least one of the hydrogen and of theoxygen from the electrolysis of water is used in said mixture; andwherein the engine creates rotating mechanical energy.
 2. The engine ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of: c) at least a portion of the steamproduced by said engine turns a generator to create electrical energy,and d) at least a portion of said rotating mechanical energy turns agenerator to create electrical energy.
 3. The engine of claim 2, whereinat least a portion of said electrical energy is used in the electrolysisof water to hydrogen and oxygen, and wherein at least a portion of atleast one of the hydrogen and of the oxygen is in said mixture.
 4. Theengine of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the steam produced bycombustion is converted to hydrogen by the corrosion of at least onemetal, and wherein at least a portion of the hydrogen is used in saidmixture.
 5. The engine of claim 4, wherein the conversion of said steaminto said hydrogen is increased by an electrical current in saidmetal(s).
 6. The engine of claim 1, further comprising at least one of:cryogenic air separation, membrane air separation, and PSA airseparation, wherein said engine powers at least a portion of said airseparation.
 7. The engine of claim 6, wherein the oxygen separated fromair is at least one of enriched oxygen, pure oxygen and very pureoxygen.
 8. The engine of claim 6, wherein at least a portion of theoxygen separated from air is used in said mixture.
 9. The engine ofclaim 1, wherein said water comprises at least one selected from a listconsisting of a: corrosion inhibitor, chelant, dispersant and anycombination therein.
 10. The engine of claim 1, wherein said engineperforms at least one of: internal, turbine and heating combustion. 11.The engine of claim 1, wherein at least one of said oxygen and of saidhydrogen is stored in at least one of a cooled gas state and a liquidstate by liquefaction.
 12. The engine of claim 11, wherein compressor(s)for at least one of cooling and liquefaction of at least one of saidoxygen and said hydrogen is powered by at least one of said engine and afuel cell.
 13. The engine of claim 12, wherein said fuel cell is poweredby said hydrogen and at least one of said oxygen and air.
 14. The engineof claim 2, wherein said rotating mechanical energy from said engineenters a transmission, wherein the transmission engage in a manner thatis inversely proportional to at least one of the torque and work outputof said engine, and wherein the transmission output mechanical rotatingenergy turn a generator to create electrical energy.
 15. The engine ofclaim 14, wherein said transmission engage a flywheel capable of storingrotational kinetic energy, wherein the flywheel turns said generator.16. The engine of claim 14, wherein at least a portion of saidelectrical energy is used in the electrolysis of water to hydrogen andoxygen.
 17. The engine of claim 16, wherein at least of portion of atleast one of said hydrogen and of said oxygen is used in said mixture.18. The engine of claim 1, wherein a portion of at least one of saidhydrogen and of said oxygen is in the form of a gel comprising frozenwater.
 19. The engine of claim 1, wherein said engine creates electricalenergy.
 20. The engine of claim 1, wherein said engine is insulated.